MORE than 80% of drug injectors in Glasgow would use a safe consumption room and the service could help those most at risk of dying from overdose, a major study has found.

The first Scottish research of its kind involving 1469 drug users found that 75 per cent would be willing to use a supervised service but support was highest in Glasgow at 83 per cent. 

Willingness was greater among people who reported injecting heroin (76%), cocaine (79%), and those with experiences of homelessness (86%), public injecting (87%) and recent overdose (80%) suggesting drug consumption rooms (DCRs) could lead to a significant reduction in drug deaths.

READ MORE: Susan Aitken: Glasgow is ready to find solutions to drug deaths 

The research was led by Glasgow Caledonian University in light of proposals by officials in the city to introduce the UK’s first DCR, to respond to the ongoing HIV outbreak in the city and drug-related death crisis.

The plan has been rejected by the UK government, on the basis of a lack of an appropriate legal framework, under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 because users would be allowed to bring illegal drugs onto the premises.

DCRs are said to have been successful in countries in Europe, Canada and Australia, however the UK government reiterated its objections at the UK Drug-Related Death’s summit, held in Glasgow in February, 

Kirsten Trayner, lead researcher, said: “The case for drug consumption rooms on the impact they can have on drug-related harms alone is compelling. “However, other research has shown that the voices of people who use drugs has been missing from the debate until now. 

“It shows that this intervention will attract those most at risk of different drug-related harms, particularly HIV and overdose in Scotland.  

READ MORE: Danish style drug consumption room can work in Glasgow says expert 

“This is the first research of its kind in Scotland, and particularly important given the recent proposals to establish a drug consumption room in Glasgow city centre. 

“We hope that this research contributes to the ongoing debate for the need for drug consumption rooms in Scotland, particularly in Glasgow.”

However researchers said DCRs did not “hold all the answers” and said they should be implemented within a package  of other harm reduction measures including easily accessible drug treatment, widespread availability of clean injecting equipment, and take-home naloxone for those at risk of overdose.

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