Communications Officer, Glasgow City Alcohol & Drug Partnership, Glasgow Health & Social Care Partnership
Glasgow City Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP) is working to open the pilot Safer Drug Consumption Facility (SDCF) later this year.
The service will be the first of its kind in the UK and aims to reduce the harms associated with injecting drugs, support people to access help to improve their lives, and reduce the negative impact that injecting outdoors has on local residents, communities, and businesses.
As building work progresses in preparation for the service at Hunter Street Health and Care Centre, engagement with the local community, businesses, people with lived experience and potential service users and HSCP staff has continued to be vital to the development and planned evaluation of the service in several ways.
Feedback from engagement sessions has contributed to the planned establishment of a local engagement forum that will continue throughout the implementation and delivery of the service, allowing local community members to raise concerns. Engagement sessions with people who have lived experience also led to changes in the layout of the service itself, including the addition of a secure smoking area for service users to access from the aftercare area, aiming to increase the use of aftercare support, and the inclusion of a shower room and clothing store to support people using the service. Following consultation with live and living experience groups, the new service will be called The Thistle.
Lynn Macdonald, Service Manager, said:
“Building work is progressing well, and the fitting out process will soon begin so we’re excited to see the service begin to take shape. The recruitment campaign has been a success with more than 700 applications received and staff will begin coming into post from mid-August. Key to this success were the recruitment events held prior to the roles being advertised, as this allowed us to engage with a wide group of candidates and discuss the range of posts associated with the SDCF.”
The engagement sessions also contributed towards the recruitment process, with feedback prioritising the importance of finding the right staff team leading to the addition of a lived experience panel to interview the candidates.
Dan Daly, Operational Manager for the Safer Drug Consumption Facility, said:
“I look forward to working towards the opening of this new and innovative service within Hunter Street Health and Care Centre. Following a successful recruitment process – with the support of ADP Lived Experience Reference Group members within our interview panels – we are now creating a fully comprehensive training and induction plan for all staff members. We look forward to working closely with all services; promoting collaboration and inclusivity for all.”
The Thistle is due to open later this year. For further information on the service or upcoming engagement opportunities, or to read the FAQs or watch our short video about the SDCF, visit our webpage www.glasgowcity.hscp.scot/sdcf.
Margaret Smith, Manager Community Justice Glasgow commented:
“Across Scotland in 2023 there were 1,172 drug-related deaths, with 355 of those occurring in NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHS GGC) and 246 in the Glasgow City area. As in previous years, nearly three-quarters of those who died lived in the poorest areas of Glasgow City. (Quintile 1; 72.2%). We know that there is a strong correlation between harmful drug taking, poverty, inequality, and people who come into contact with the justice system. As in previous years those who died were living in the poorest communities in Glasgow (72.2 %; Quintile 1). The Safer Drug Consumption Facility is just one of several harm reduction responses and innovations across the Alcohol and Drug Partnership in Glasgow tackling harmful drug consumption and the impact that has on individuals and communities.
Figure: 1 Drug-related deaths in Glasgow City 2003-2023
Figure 2: Breakdown of drug-related deaths in Glasgow City by Sex and Age Range 2013-2023
In 2023, there also remained a high prevalence of underlying health conditions (such as COPD or ischaemic heart disease) to just over one-third of all cases of drug related deaths (37.4%). As with poverty and inequality, we know that there is also a strong correlation between poorer health outcomes than the general population and the likelihood of coming into contact with the justice system. It is imperative that the Community Justice Glasgow Partnership continues its focus on improving health outcomes for those who experience the justice system, breaking down barriers to accessing services and supports and creating positive and supported pathways across the touchpoints – be that at risk of entering the justice system, arrest, sentenced or in re-integrating back into our communities. I look forward to seeing the facility operational and contributing to those better outcomes we all seek.”
Figure 3: Underlying Health Conditions as part of causes of drug related deaths in Glasgow City.
