The First Minister spoke after the Lord Advocate made clear it was ‘not in the public interest’ to prosecute users of such a facility with…
This could allow those struggling with addiction to take drugs under supervision from medical professionals, who could intervene in the event of an overdose.
But drugs policy minister Elena Whitham said it was “time to see this approach piloted in Scotland” – although she said a safe consumption room would be “limited to some extent” as a result of drugs laws being controlled by Westminster. The Scottish First Minister added: “I think it’s important to drive forward with a pilot with urgency, given of course the fact that drug deaths in Scotland are far too high.”
Ms Whitham said the Lord Advocate’s statement meant “Glasgow authorities may now progress their proposal to set up a facility which can operate within the existing legal framework”. Assistant Chief Constable Gary Ritchie, of Police Scotland, said the force was “committed to working in partnership to reduce the harm associated with problematic substance use and addiction”.
Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross said the Lord Advocate’s statement “confirms that the SNP Government are able to proceed with a drugs-consumption room pilot should they wish”.
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Jagtar Singh Johal: Yousaf urges PM to call for Sikh activist's releaseThe first minister calls on Rishi Sunak to ask the Indian government to free a Scot who has been in jail since 2017.
Read more »
Yousaf has now quite rightly been told to get his finger out on school mealsSunday Mail Opinion says Scottish Government delays on free school meals is a shameful misalignment of priorities.
Read more »
Anas Sarwar: Humza Yousaf's Programme for Government lacked ambitionWriting in his column for the Daily Record, Anas Sarwar says the SNP promised little to tackle the cost-of-living and improve the NHS.
Read more »
Humza Yousaf meets King Charles as First Minister spends weekend at BalmoralThe First Minister followed in the footsteps of Nicola Sturgeon and Alex Salmond by spending the night at the Royal Family's private estate in Aberdeenshire.
Read more »
Raac found in schools in 16 Scottish local council areasFirst Minister Humza Yousaf promised a list of the relevant councils would be published by Friday.
Read more »
THOUSANDS of drugs taken off the streets of GlasgowHUNDREDS of thousands of dangerous tablets have been taken off the streets of Glasgow.
Read more »