Residents in Glasgow’s Calton area have voiced frustration and anger over the impact of the UK’s first drug consumption facility, sparking heated discussion over its placement and operations. Opened earlier this year, the Thistle Centre, referred to frequently as the “Glasgow Shooting Gallery” or “UK Drug Consumption Room,” was designed to provide a supervised and safer environment for drug users to consume substances like heroin without the risk of arrest. However, locals claim the facility has brought an increase in needles, drug-related activity, and antisocial behaviour to their community.

A Community Divided Over the UK Drug Consumption Room

The Thistle Centre launched with an optimistic goal of reducing drug-related deaths and public injecting while connecting users to critical addiction support services. Statistics for the facility’s first nine weeks show that 168 individuals accessed the service across 1,435 visits, with 17 medical emergencies successfully managed on-site. Despite these promising metrics, the community surrounding the area reports worsening issues, complicating the perception of its success.

Dozens attended a recent community meeting held to address the escalating situation. Residents shared first-hand accounts of the challenges they’ve faced since the centre opened its doors.

Vanessa Paton, a long-time resident, painted a troubling picture of the neighbourhood’s current state, saying, “Our community is turning to ruins. You’re finding needles everywhere, walking at night feels unsafe, and people are losing the sense that they can call this home. We’re watching people lose basic human decency in broad daylight. It’s a nightmare.”

Others echoed similar concerns, recounting stories of drug users injecting in public spaces, aggressive behaviour, and improper disposal of hazardous materials. A resident remarked, “I had to pick up five used needles near my flat just this week. They told us this facility would reduce these problems – instead, we feel like they’ve worsened.”

Residents Experience First-Hand Impact From the Shooting Gallery

A wide spectrum of residents is feeling the social cost of the facility’s operations. Pensioners are afraid to leave their homes after dark, families are wary of children encountering drug waste on neighbourhood streets, and anxiety and inconvenience have marred everyday life in Calton.

One resident recounted a chilling experience, saying, “Just last month, I saw someone shooting up near a child’s play area. It’s frightening, and it’s not the life we imagined continuing here.”

Additionally, small business owners and local organisations are becoming increasingly vocal. Labour Councillor Cecilia O’Lone attended the meeting and expressed that the community’s concerns were valid. “I’m here to listen to residents and will support whatever actions they deem necessary to make their voices heard. They deserve to feel safe in their own streets,” she said.

The Debate on Glasgow’s First Drug Consumption Room

The concept of the Glasgow Shooting Gallery as a pioneering solution to the UK’s drug crisis aimed to prioritise harm reduction. However, opponents argue that its very location has compounded pre-existing challenges in the area. Many locals claim that the facility has attracted drug users from other parts of the city into Calton, inadvertently increasing problems like loitering and aggressive behaviour.

Angela Scott, a three-year resident of Calton, voiced her perspective at the meeting. “We used to see the occasional needle or user around, but now they’re coming here in droves. What’s worse is the wide-scale invasion of safety and personal freedom for everyone else,” Scott added.

Proposals for Community-Led Action

Attendees also discussed potential solutions to combat the issues they see stemming from the UK’s first drug consumption room. Ideas included a march through the streets to raise awareness, public demonstrations highlighting the visible waste left behind, and the creation of a local resident panel to advocate directly with government decision-makers.

While concerns run high, authorities continue to reiterate their mission to foster dialogue with the community. Glasgow City Health and Social Care Partnership maintains that discarded needles in the area were a pre-existing concern before the Thistle Centre opened and that incidents reported to them have not significantly increased.

Source: dbrecoveryresources