{"id":36761,"date":"2026-01-23T11:51:40","date_gmt":"2026-01-23T10:51:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/drogriporter.hu\/?p=36761"},"modified":"2026-01-23T11:51:42","modified_gmt":"2026-01-23T10:51:42","slug":"visiting-the-thistle","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/drogriporter.hu\/en\/visiting-the-thistle\/","title":{"rendered":"Visiting The Thistle: The UK\u2019s First Legal Safer Drug Consumption Room in Glasgow"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Step inside the UK\u2019s first legal safer drug consumption room. In Drugreporter\u2019s new video, Lynn MacDonald, service manager at The Thistle, takes us through a space built not only for life-saving safer use, but for compassion, dignity, and respect \u2014 putting care and humanity at the center of the service.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<!--more-->\n\n\n\n<p>Watch the full short documentary here:<\/p>\n\n\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/TIHwHWvJiAg\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" style=\"\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/drogriporter.hu\/en\/stop-the-deaths-in-scotland\/\">On the occasion of<\/a> the <a href=\"https:\/\/sdf.org.uk\/\">Scottish Drugs Forum\u2019s<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/sdf.org.uk\/get-involved\/stopthedeaths-conference-2025\/\">Stop the Deaths annual conference<\/a> in August 2025, we had the opportunity to visit <a href=\"https:\/\/glasgowcity.hscp.scot\/sdcf\">The Thistle<\/a>, which opened in January 2025 after more than a decade of legal battles. The service aims to address Scotland\u2019s overdose crisis, prevent HIV transmission through shared needles, and reduce public injecting and discarded drug litter. What became clear during our visit was that Lynn MacDonald and the Thistle staff prioritise something people who use drugs in the UK too rarely experience when accessing services: being treated with dignity and respect. As Lynn explained:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>\u201cWe are trying to create an atmosphere where people feel welcome, feel valued. They\u2019re treated with dignity and respect when they come here. They\u2019re welcomed as equals, no different to you or I.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/drogriporter.hu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2026\/01\/barrowland-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-36766\" srcset=\"https:\/\/drogriporter.hu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2026\/01\/barrowland-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/drogriporter.hu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2026\/01\/barrowland-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/drogriporter.hu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2026\/01\/barrowland-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/drogriporter.hu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2026\/01\/barrowland-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/drogriporter.hu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2026\/01\/barrowland.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-the-neighbourhood\">The Neighbourhood<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The Thistle is located in the Calton area of Glasgow, a neighbourhood facing high levels of deprivation, significant drug use, widespread injecting away from home, and large numbers of discarded needles in car parks and alleyways. The presence of existing drug and alcohol services in the area also made it a suitable location. The staff actively work to build positive relationships with local residents and respond to neighbourhood concerns. They have installed needle disposal bins in public spaces to reduce discarded paraphernalia. Interestingly, these bins have not only reduced needle litter but also provided a safe way for people to dispose of unused prescription medications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"473\" src=\"https:\/\/drogriporter.hu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2026\/01\/537930087-1258113656355552-942350841292466989-n-1024x473.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-36765\" srcset=\"https:\/\/drogriporter.hu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2026\/01\/537930087-1258113656355552-942350841292466989-n-1024x473.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/drogriporter.hu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2026\/01\/537930087-1258113656355552-942350841292466989-n-300x139.jpg 300w, https:\/\/drogriporter.hu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2026\/01\/537930087-1258113656355552-942350841292466989-n-768x355.jpg 768w, https:\/\/drogriporter.hu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2026\/01\/537930087-1258113656355552-942350841292466989-n-1536x710.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/drogriporter.hu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2026\/01\/537930087-1258113656355552-942350841292466989-n-2048x946.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-reception-welcoming-people\">Reception \u2013 Welcoming People<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>When people arrive, they are greeted by friendly staff, and anonymous registration takes only a few minutes. A lived and living experience group was involved not only in the design of the service and the choice of furniture, but also in the selection of Thistle staff \u2014 ensuring the space feels welcoming and respectful from the very first interaction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/drogriporter.hu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2026\/01\/tig-thistle-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-36767\" srcset=\"https:\/\/drogriporter.hu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2026\/01\/tig-thistle-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/drogriporter.hu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2026\/01\/tig-thistle-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/drogriporter.hu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2026\/01\/tig-thistle-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/drogriporter.hu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2026\/01\/tig-thistle-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/drogriporter.hu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2026\/01\/tig-thistle.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-safer-drug-consumption-space-preventing-overdoses-reducing-infections-building-trust\">Safer Drug Consumption Space \u2013 Preventing Overdoses, Reducing Infections, Building Trust<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In the safer drug consumption space, everyone receives a single-use tray with sterile injecting equipment to consume drugs obtained outside the service. While staff are not permitted to physically assist with injecting, they provide advice and supervision. Staff may use a vein finder to help people identify healthier veins, reducing the use of riskier injection sites such as the groin. Dignity is central to the approach: the process is designed to be as non-intrusive as possible, allowing people time and privacy without pressure to rush. Care is trauma-informed, aiming to reduce shame and stigma both inside the service and in the wider community. In the event of an overdose, staff respond immediately \u2014 first using oxygen, and administering naloxone only when necessary. Since opening in January 2025, 51 overdoses have been reversed, all successfully resolved. The Thistle also enables rapid responses when the local drug supply becomes more toxic, allowing staff to warn people and other services quickly. As Lynn MacDonald explained:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>\u201cThere was a batch of heroin that was extremely problematic. People were injecting and overdosing before they\u2019d even finished the injection. So we were able to respond very quickly. And those people almost certainly wouldn\u2019t have survived had they been somewhere isolated on their own.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/drogriporter.hu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2026\/01\/sp-thistle-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-36768\" srcset=\"https:\/\/drogriporter.hu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2026\/01\/sp-thistle-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/drogriporter.hu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2026\/01\/sp-thistle-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/drogriporter.hu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2026\/01\/sp-thistle-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/drogriporter.hu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2026\/01\/sp-thistle-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/drogriporter.hu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2026\/01\/sp-thistle.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-recovery-area-supporting-people-after-safer-consumption\">Recovery Area \u2013 Supporting People After Safer Consumption<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>After injecting \u2014 or even without using the consumption space \u2014 people can access wound care, sexual and reproductive health services, HIV and hepatitis C testing, and referrals to treatment. Vaccinations for hepatitis A and B, flu, and COVID are also available. In the recovery area, people can rest under nursing supervision while staff monitor oxygen levels, pulse, and temperature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/drogriporter.hu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2026\/01\/lounge-thistle-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-36769\" srcset=\"https:\/\/drogriporter.hu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2026\/01\/lounge-thistle-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/drogriporter.hu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2026\/01\/lounge-thistle-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/drogriporter.hu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2026\/01\/lounge-thistle-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/drogriporter.hu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2026\/01\/lounge-thistle-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/drogriporter.hu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2026\/01\/lounge-thistle.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-lounge-area-connecting-people-to-services-housing-and-treatment\">Lounge Area \u2013 Connecting People to Services, Housing, and Treatment<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The lounge is a softer, less clinical space designed for people to spend time, read, do jigsaws, and have snacks. People can receive take-away foil, injecting equipment, condoms, and other harm reduction supplies. The Thistle can also be used as a mailing address for correspondence. Crucially, this is where people can speak with social workers and access a wide range of additional services. A core aim is to strengthen social connections and, where desired, help people reconnect with their families.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>\u201cOften what we hear from the family reference group \u2014 from mothers in particular \u2014 is that they\u2019re waiting for that knock at the door from the police. They don\u2019t know if their son or daughter is alive or dead. So we can say, \u2018Do you want to phone your mum and let her know you\u2019re here and you\u2019re OK?\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>The Thistle\u2019s users\u2019 forum provides continuous feedback to improve services. Housing support is the most frequently requested need. The Thistle can connect people to Housing First projects and, in some cases, arrange hotel accommodation on the same day. Staff can also support access to abstinence-based treatment. In Scotland, same-day methadone access is available, meaning people can start treatment the day they request it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/drogriporter.hu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2026\/01\/outside-thistle-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-36770\" srcset=\"https:\/\/drogriporter.hu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2026\/01\/outside-thistle-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/drogriporter.hu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2026\/01\/outside-thistle-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/drogriporter.hu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2026\/01\/outside-thistle-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/drogriporter.hu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2026\/01\/outside-thistle-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/drogriporter.hu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2026\/01\/outside-thistle.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-enhanced-drug-treatment-service-prescribed-diamorphine-for-people-with-complex-needs\">Enhanced Drug Treatment Service \u2013 Prescribed Diamorphine for People with Complex Needs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Next door to The Thistle is the Enhanced Drug Treatment Service, also managed by Lynn MacDonald. The service offers heroin-assisted treatment for people who have not benefited from conventional treatment options or methadone maintenance. There are 40 places available, with prescribed diamorphine provided under medical supervision. The outcomes have been highly positive, with rapid improvements in participants\u2019 quality of life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/drogriporter.hu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2026\/01\/badge-thistle-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-36772\" srcset=\"https:\/\/drogriporter.hu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2026\/01\/badge-thistle-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/drogriporter.hu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2026\/01\/badge-thistle-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/drogriporter.hu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2026\/01\/badge-thistle-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/drogriporter.hu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2026\/01\/badge-thistle-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/drogriporter.hu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2026\/01\/badge-thistle.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-evaluation-what-we-ve-learned-so-far\">Evaluation \u2013 What We\u2019ve Learned So Far<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The Thistle is subject to ongoing independent evaluation assessing outcomes and effectiveness. Early results are highly encouraging: over 4,000 injections did not take place in public spaces, did not result in blood-borne virus transmission, and did not involve reused needles. Fifty-one overdoses were reversed \u2014 many of which would likely have been fatal outside the service. The evidence already suggests reduced hospital admissions and significant cost savings for the wider health system. As Lynn puts it:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>\u201cPeople talk a lot about this service being expensive, but the reality is, we are saving other parts of the system an absolute fortune.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>The experience of The Thistle shows that safer drug consumption rooms are not radical experiments, but pragmatic public health responses grounded in evidence and compassion. By preventing overdose deaths, reducing infectious disease transmission, and reconnecting people to health, housing, and social support, The Thistle demonstrates what becomes possible when drug policy is built around care rather than punishment. At a time when drug-induced deaths remain high in Europe and recent data show increases in fatalities in some countries and from potent new synthetic substances, Glasgow\u2019s model offers a concrete, life-saving blueprint for cities willing to act.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Text and video: Istv\u00e1n G\u00e1bor Tak\u00e1cs<br>Reporter: P\u00e9ter S\u00e1rosi<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Step inside the UK\u2019s first legal safer drug consumption room. In Drugreporter\u2019s new video, Lynn MacDonald, service manager at The Thistle, takes us through a space built not only for life-saving safer use, but for compassion, dignity, and respect \u2014 putting care and humanity at the center of the service.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1002,"featured_media":36763,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[2900,2894],"tags":[],"countries":[3281,2728],"section":[],"video-author":[2921],"drug":[],"archive":[3223,3222,3229,3230,3226,3227,3228],"video-series":[3289],"class_list":{"0":"post-36761","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-articles","8":"category-video-database","9":"countries-scotland","10":"countries-uk-en","11":"video-author-drugreporter","12":"archive-drug-consumption-rooms","13":"archive-harm-reduction","14":"archive-hepatitis","15":"archive-hiv-aids","16":"archive-needle-and-syringe-programs","17":"archive-opiate-substitution","18":"archive-overdose-prevention","19":"video-series-drugreporter-documentaries","20":"entry"},"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/drogriporter.hu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2026\/01\/2026-the-thistle-hd-600x400.jpg","author_info":{"display_name":"Istv\u00e1n G\u00e1bor Tak\u00e1cs","author_link":"https:\/\/drogriporter.hu\/en\/author\/idoru\/"},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin  - 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