INVERCLYDE’S MP is stepping up his campaign to have drug consumption rooms opened in Scotland.

The SNP’s Ronnie Cowan is to lead a debate on the topic in Westminster Hall today.

Mr Cowan, who is vice-chair of the Commons all-party parliamentary group on drugs policy reform, says the time has come to abandon current tactics and opt for a new approach.

He said: “Supervised drug consumption facilities, where illicit drugs can be used under the supervision of trained staff, have been operating in Europe for the last three decades.

“These facilities provide needles which instantly reduce the spread of HIV and Hepatitis C.

“Instantly we improve the health of the user and instantly we engage users back into society where they can be signposted to the relevant services.

“If we want to stop damaging society and help the many individuals that have a drug addiction problem then we need to change our approach.”

Drug consumption rooms are supervised facilities where illicit substances can be used under the eye of trained staff.
Mr Cowan has championed them at Prime Minister’s Questions, where he called on the UK Government to introduce them in the UK.

Glasgow’s Health and Social Care Partnership is currently considering proposals to establish a DCR and heroin-assisted treatment service in the city centre.

Speaking in advance of his debate, Mr Cowan said: “The UK Government must look at the growing body of evidence and change the law to allow DCRs to be opened in the UK without fear of prosecution.

“If not, they must devolve the relevant powers to Scotland to allow the SNP government to pursue ambitious and innovative new methods to tackle the public health issue of unsafe drug consumption.”