The Thistle, which opened in Glasgow’s east end earlier this year, has had more than 1,000 visits by drug users.
MPs have been advised to simplify the process for establishing drug consumption rooms, following the success of The Thistle in Glasgow, the UK's first such facility, which opened in January 2025. In its first seven weeks, it recorded over 1,000 visits. Dr. Saket Priyadarshi highlighted that some users would have died without The Thistle. Allan Casey of Glasgow City Council emphasized the need for more facilities nationwide. Plans are underway to expand services to include smoking or inhaling drugs, driven by increased cocaine use, requiring exemptions from smoking laws.
