It’s been 18 months since Scotland took the initiative to open the UK’s first Drug Consumption Room (DCR) in Glasgow, having first opened in January 2025. A year and a half later, and the public and political debate still thrives under a culture of stigma; but what can we glean from the early phase of the centre’s operations, and does it justify opening up a further site in Edinburgh?
As Executive Director and Trustee Chair respectively of the UK branch of Law Enforcement Action Partnership (LEAP UK), we are pleased to see that the Edinburgh Health and Social Care Partnership (EHSCP) is opening a proposal for a DCR in the Old Town area of the city with an open consultation process to “hear from people who would be most affected by the facility [including] people who take drugs and their families, and people who live and work around the possible locations.”
Over the past ten years, we have seen the concerning increases in drug related deaths across Scotland, a nation that has struggled to deal with drug harms for many years. Its second largest city, Edinburgh, remains an area where there are a large number of people who are at increased risk of drug related harms and death. Between December 2025 and March 2026 there were 34 recorded drug related deaths in Edinburgh which was an increase from the 19 seen in the previous quarter, with those aged between 45 and 54 most likely to be affected.
With an obvious increase in drug related harms, we can reference the Cowgate and Spittal St. areas of Old Town, where 70 people died in the past three years. That’s 70 people who will not live to see their children grow up, whose families are left to grieve and who were not given a chance at life. Harm reduction measures such as DCRs offer a potentially life-saving service which we have already seen having a positive effect in Glasgow.
Despite highly mediatised opposition to The Thistle, it’s a key site that’s keeping people alive in the midst of changing drug markets with an unprecedented amount of adulterants in circulation. Its data has demonstrated its objective successes:
- Up to the end of May 2026 there have been 750 unique registrations;
- In its first year of operation, there were 93 medical emergencies 78 of which were treated on site, 15 of these required ambulances and 9 people were treated by Accident and Emergency facilities;
- A 79% reduction in drug related litter such as used needles and syringes between May and November 2025 with teams monitoring the situation and offering a dedicated helpline for reporting discarded needles in order for them to be removed.
- The service provides personal care such as showers and wound care, with over 13,368 of these interventions being provided;
- 612 referrals made to support those who attend the centre with housing, drug and alcohol treatment and to the blood borne virus team within the first year of operation.
People have argued against the effectiveness of the Thistle Centre by stating that drug related deaths and crime are increasing, which is contrary to the available evidence surrounding DCRs. However, Glasgow is a large city that’s struggled with decades of deprivation – which decades of research has linked to a higher likelihood of using illicit drugs such as heroin. A DCR will not fix these harms in a year; it must be part of a wider strategy of care and support for people abandoned by the state.
As the figures above show, The Thistle is more than just a room to use drugs. It provides much needed referrals and support for a range of issues faced by people who use drugs. It is a lifeline and a point of human contact whereby warm unconditional positive regard forms a key element of support for a deeply stigmatised community of people.
Here at LEAP UK, we recognise the contributions of the recovery community in terms of supporting people to stop using illicit drugs such as heroin. However, recovery is not a one size fits all process. It is important to meet people in their own unique circumstances and support them in whatever way possible, to either stop using drugs such as heroin or cocaine, or to use them safely. It is well documented that drug dependency is complex, with poverty and trauma playing a significant role.
It is heartening to see that Edinburgh is considering joining Glasgow in its adoption of harm reduction centres which have evidence on a global scale, from more than 100 DCR’s operating in 66 cities worldwide, in countries such as Spain, Norway and Denmark, to confirm their efficacy for saving lives, referring people to much needed services and providing the first step towards recovery from dependency should they wish to do so.
The consultation is open until 1 July and is available to anyone who lives, works or regularly visits the city to contribute their thoughts and feelings about the proposed site.
