Scotland Suspected Drug Deaths Rise 33% Despite Glasgow Consumption Room

Suspected drug deaths in Scotland surged by approximately one-third in the first quarter of 2025, reaching 308 fatalities, despite the opening of the UK's first safer drug consumption facility, the Thistle Centre in Glasgow, in January. The facility allows supervised heroin injection with plans to add inhalation rooms for crack cocaine, but critics argue it is exacerbating addiction rather than curbing deaths, with few users referred for recovery treatment. Greater Glasgow recorded the highest number of suspected deaths at 61, followed by Ayrshire and Lanarkshire. Opposition politicians, including Scottish Conservative shadow drugs minister Annie Wells, have condemned the SNP government’s approach as failing vulnerable people and called for alternative measures like the Right to Recovery Bill. While the Scottish Government notes that drug death figures fluctuate quarterly and highlighted a year-on-year decline in deaths over the past 12 months, the recent sharp rise has intensified scrutiny of the government's strategy amid public concerns over rising drug-related harm and community safety. Health Secretary Neil Gray emphasized ongoing efforts and investments aimed at harm reduction and support services, underscoring the national mission to reduce drug-related deaths.