
Glasgow drug consumption room under scrutiny at Westminster
The facility has been at the centre of controversy in recent weeks, with residents nearby complaining they have seen an increase in drug taking and dealing in the surrounding streets since it opened.
The Thistle Centre in Hunter Street, Calton, opened in January and operates 12 hours a day from 9am to 9pm.
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Since it began accepting people who come and inject their drugs, it has been used thousands of times.
In total, 246 individuals have used the centre 2691 times, with 2010 injecting episodes.
Staff have dealt with 30 medical emergencies between opening in January and the end of April.
The most common drug is cocaine.
In April, it was used in 68% of the visits, with heroin used in 24% and a mixture of both in 8%.
(Image: Newsquest)
The Scottish Affairs Committee at Westminster is carrying out an inquiry into the centre, which is a pilot for three years.
Next week the MPs on the committee will question Diana Johnson, UK minister for policing and crime and Neil Gray, Scotland's health secretary.
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The committee is expected to ask Gray about the role the Scottish Government played in the opening of the facility, the legal risks it faces and potential exemptions which could be needed if the service were to expand.
(Image: PA)
He is also likely to be asked about whether more facilities are needed across Scotland and the future of the Glasgow centre's funding.
Questions for Johnson are expected to focus on the UK Government's position on the pilot, what role the UK Government could have in its operation and the potential for more facilities.

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