The Thistle, the UK's first official safer drug consumption facility, is set to open in Glasgow by January 2024, following delays due to building tests.

This facility will provide a supervised environment for injecting illegal drugs, with trained professionals available to address injuries and overdoses, along with additional support services.

Scotland's lord advocate has stated that using the facility will not lead to prosecution, marking a significant shift in drug policy.

Experts emphasize that while the Thistle is a positive step, it is not a comprehensive solution to the drug death crisis in Scotland, which saw 1,172 deaths in 2023, with Glasgow being the hardest hit.

Over 100 safe consumption facilities worldwide have reported no deaths, highlighting the potential safety benefits of the Thistle.

The initiative is part of a broader strategy that includes crisis outreach services, residential rehabilitation, and distribution of naloxone to combat opioid overdoses.

Other UK cities are looking to the Thistle as a model for similar facilities, indicating a growing recognition of harm reduction strategies in drug treatment.

Niamh Eastwood, from the charity Release UK, criticized the lack of similar facilities across the UK and urged local areas to seek police approval for drug consumption sites.

A government spokesperson acknowledged the tragedy of drug misuse deaths but indicated no immediate plans to change UK drug laws, focusing instead on preventative health measures.

The facility will operate 365 days a year and is strategically located near known public injecting sites, aiming to reduce harm associated with public drug use.

Plans for the facility date back a decade, initiated in response to an HIV outbreak among injecting drug users, but faced opposition from the Home Office until now.

Glasgow Labour and Cooperative MSP Paul Sweeney reported positive discussions with UK crime and policing minister Diana Johnson regarding drug policy reform.