DDN_March_2025 DDN March 2025 | Page 21

ONE PART OF THE TOOLBOX

With the UK ’ s first consumption room opening in Glasgow it ’ s important to remember that these facilities should be seen as part of a wider package of interventions , says Ian Hamilton

After years of legal wrangling Scotland opened a drug consumption room in Glasgow . Responding to local need for such a facility to support people who have struggled to find a safe place to use drugs , this will hopefully ensure that these individuals receive the care and support they need .

All the evidence to date suggests that engaging the local community is crucial to ensuring support for the opening of drug consumption rooms . Addressing concerns about these facilities increasing drug use activity in a locality is important in winning hearts and minds . Fortunately , research shows that drug consumption rooms reduce
drug paraphernalia litter such as discarded needles and syringes . Rather than an increase in drug use , the evidence suggests that those who use these services actually reduce their use of drugs .
Informal drug consumption spaces have existed for some time , Peter Krykant set up such a facility a few years ago in Glasgow when he bought an old ambulance to provide a safe space for people in the area to use drugs .
The barriers to establishing a drug consumption room in the United Kingdom have been overcome thanks in no small part to the building of local partnerships between healthcare and local politicians . Recognising the need for a
radical response to the rising number of drug fatalities in Glasgow and Scotland has been crucial to this type of innovation . Scotland has the highest rate of drug-related deaths in Europe , so new thinking is needed if this is to be addressed .
It would be unrealistic to think that a drug consumption room will be enough to reduce drug-related deaths , however . Instead , it should be viewed as one of several interventions that are needed to reverse the rising trend in fatalities .
Drug consumption rooms engage a group of people that don ’ t access other services such as GPs or specialist drug treatment . These facilities are therefore really important in providing a way of
ensuring that some of the most marginalised groups are provided with healthcare that could improve their lives and reduce the risk of premature death .
Hopefully this innovation won ’ t be a one-off . Although a good start , it is critical that these facilities are provided across the UK . Given the record number of people dying as a result of drug use , we need to provide all the evidence-based interventions we can to reverse the growing number of individuals and families affected by drug fatalities . It may not be popular with voters , but politicians need to advocate for those most at risk of drug-related deaths .
Ian Hamilton is an associate professor at the University of York
harmful to problem recognition amongst people who brief interventions are targeted at . This is since at-risk drinkers often draw on stereotypes of the ‘ alcoholic other ’ to distance their own drinking from . In turn , continuum framings have been shown to be a promising alternative ( which brief interventions are aligned with ).
Finally , ‘ a word from a healthcare professional when going from 30 to 40 units a week ’ should of course be utilised , but should also be offered to people drinking at any level above 14 units ( or an equivalent AUDIT score ). Dr James Morris , alcohol brief intervention trainer and researcher
MUTUAL RESPECT
In response to ‘ At your service ’ ( DDN , Dec / Jan , p20 ) and letters ( Feb , p21 ), I want to emphasise the vital role that lived experience organisations and individuals with lived and living experience play in all areas of drug treatment and policy . Their contributions shouldn ’ t just be limited to the invaluable inspiration people in recovery provide to those still struggling , but should also include those who are actively using . These voices help ensure we take a realistic , pragmatic approach to engaging people and delivering harm reduction interventions where they are needed most . It ’ s essential that these perspectives are given equal weight alongside professionals in the field . But with equality comes responsibility . While strong support should be in place to encourage as many people as possible to get involved , we also need to foster an environment where certain ‘ challenging behaviours ’ aren ’ t simply excused but are addressed when necessary . Services should be as in clusive as possible , and allowances should be made for those less familiar with professional environments . However , there do need to be boundaries . Just as professionals are expected to treat clients and colleagues with dignity and respect , this should be reciprocated by everyone involved . Name and address supplied
DDN welcomes all your comments . Please email the editor , claire @ cjwellings . com , join any of the conversations on our Facebook page and LinkedIn , or send letters to DDN , CJ Wellings Ltd , Romney House , School Road , Ashford , Kent TN27 0LT . Longer comments and letters may be edited for space or clarity .
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