Edinburgh residents invited to weigh in on Old Town safer drug consumption room
Edinburgh residents are being invited to give their views on plans for a potential drug consumption room in the Old Town.
A 13-week public consultation on the proposed plans opened on Wednesday and will remain open until July 1.
Details of the proposal include the potential creation of a facility in which people will be able to consume drugs under the care of medical professionals and using clean equipment.
No specific location has been earmarked, but research has identified areas in the Old Town, including the Cowgate and Spittal Street, near the West Port, in which the facility could be beneficial.
Christine Laverty, chief officer of the Edinburgh Health and Social Care Partnership, said: “Every drug death is a tragedy, and we must continue to work to reduce drug deaths and reduce the harm caused by drug use wherever possible.
“There has long been calls for a safer drug consumption facility in Edinburgh. Research suggests that this type of facility would reduce drug related harm and, crucially, reduce the number of fatal overdoses.
“Following the Integration Joint Board meeting on Tuesday 24 March the decision was taken to begin a public consultation running for 13 weeks.
“This will allow the public to give their views on a safer drug consumption room and we are keen to hear from a wide range of people which will help us to shape any business case for a safer drug consumption facility in Edinburgh.”
Residents wanting to contribute their opinions to the consultation can take part in an online survey on the City of Edinburgh website.
There will also be drop-in sessions held in the city centre for those wanting to give their say in person. Dates will be advertised on the City of Edinburgh Council website ahead of time.
It comes after the UK’s first ever drug consumption room opened in the east-end of Glasgow last year.
The Thistle recorded 575 registered users with 612 referrals made to other services during its first 12 months, with Scottish drugs minister Maree Todd stating that the facility had had a “profound impact” during the first year of the pilot.
However local residents have repeatedly complained about the impact of the room on the area, stating that a “carpet of drug paraphernalia”, including discarded needles and syringes, have been found outside The Thistle.
A man was also found dead outside the facility on March 8 with his death being treated as drug-related.
In response to concerns, health chiefs previously said that a drug consumption room would “benefit the people of Edinburgh”.
Ms Laverty said: “We know that there is some public injecting, which is really risky, in disused bits of land in Edinburgh, which is not good for the person who's injecting, but also if they're leaving discarded needles around.
“This is a service that, if people plan to continue to use drugs and to inject, will provide clean works, new injecting equipment, which will reduce the risks for that individual, but also any risks if anything was discarded.
“We believe this will reduce the risks and reduce the harm. There's a lot of international research that shows that these types of service do save lives.”