Kurt Greater than 130 individuals used the UK’s first drug consumption clinic within the facility’s first week.
The Safer Medication Consumption Facility in Glasgow opened on 13 January, letting individuals take substances below supervision.
Cllr Allan Casey, the town convener for dependancy providers, stated it had been an “intense first week” for workers, with 131 customers.
There have been no medical emergencies ensuing from drug use inside the facility – often called the Thistle – within the first seven days.
It’s hoped that the clinic can scale back deadly and non-fatal overdoses by offering a secure and clear place for individuals to make use of medication, whereas additionally giving individuals additional help to deal with their dependancy.
In addition to safer injecting amenities, customers have been supplied with wound care, clear injecting gear and naloxone as required.
A spokesperson for the power stated some customers had already engaged with housing and drug therapy help.
Cllr Casey added that the clinic had made a “promising begin” since opening.
He added: “It has been an intense first week for the crew as all eyes are on Glasgow.
“I’m delighted to listen to individuals are making use of all of the amenities out there on the Thistle.
“We all know this isn’t a silver bullet – however having a facility that’s secure, hygienic and medically supervised will go a great distance in the direction of decreasing drug-related overdoses, injection-related wounds and infections, and the unfavourable affect that injecting outside has on native communities.”
The power was first proposed for Glasgow in 2016 however years of debate between the Scottish and UK governments than ensued.
The power was lastly permitted within the autumn of 2023, with operating prices anticipated to achieve almost £7m over the subsequent three years.
It’s located within the metropolis’s Hunter Avenue, subsequent to a clinic the place 23 long-term drug customers are at the moment prescribed pharmaceutical heroin.
A earlier report by the NHS estimated roughly 400 to 500 individuals” used medication publicly within the metropolis centre frequently, whereas Scotland has constantly had the highest variety of drug dying overdoses in Europe.
The UK authorities stated in 2023 it didn’t intend to open any clinics elsewhere, however wouldn’t intrude within the Glasgow plan.
