Committee to investigate workings of Glasgow’s Safer Drug Consumption Facility

• Inquiry: Problem drug use in Scotland follow-up: Glasgow’s Safer Drug Consumption Facility
• Watch: Parliament Live
• Scottish Affairs Committee

At the time of this session, the facility, also known as ‘The Thistle’ will have been open for 7 weeks. The Committee is likely to ask about the barriers to opening the facility, how the proposal for the facility has developed over time, and how effective it has been since it opened in January.  

The cross-party committee may explore emerging trends in the types of drugs being consumed at the Thistle, and what support services and facilities are available to service users. Members are likely to ask about the Thistle’s proposed inhalation room, which was removed from the original plans, and the live application for a drug testing license.  

Members could discuss the current legal standing of the facility, including considering how the statement of prosecution policy offered by the Lord Advocate works in practice, alongside the Thistle’s operating procedures.  

Witnesses at 09.45am:   

• Dr Saket Priyadarshi, Associate Medical Director, Alcohol and Drug Recovery Services at NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde 
• Lynn MacDonald, Service Manager at NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde 
• Kelda Gaffney, Interim Assistant Chief Officer, Adult Services & Chief Social Work Officer, Glasgow City Health and Social Care Partnership 
• Councillor Allan Casey, City Convener for Workforce and Homelessness and Addiction Services, Glasgow City Council 

Further information

• About Parliament: Select committees
• Visiting Parliament: Watch committees

Image: House of Commons