Scottish Conservatives Call for Shift in Drug Deaths Strategy
The Scottish Conservatives have launched a bold new policy paper demanding that millions of pounds allocated for drug consumption rooms be redirected towards expanding rehabilitation and recovery places across Scotland. Party leader Russell Findlay is set to unveil the document today, urging the SNP Government to fundamentally change its approach to tackling the nation's drug deaths crisis.
Policy Paper Urges End to 'State-Sponsored Drug-Taking'
The Conservative policy paper argues ministers should stop 'doubling down' on proposals for additional drug consumption rooms and instead focus on providing a genuine right to recovery for those battling addiction. The document specifically targets The Thistle centre in Glasgow, claiming the facility has 'monumentally failed' to reduce Scotland's drug-death rate, which remains the worst in Europe.
Scottish Conservative drug and alcohol spokeswoman Annie Wells, who will launch the paper alongside Mr Findlay at a community pharmacy in Glasgow, stated: 'Scotland's appalling level of drug deaths is our national shame under the SNP. Yet nationalist ministers still believe they know best how to tackle this crisis - despite having failed miserably over the last two decades.'
'The Thistle has monumentally failed to reduce our drug-death rate, which is the worst in Europe, and we believe it should be shut down,' Ms Wells continued. 'The millions being wasted on this drug consumption room would be far better spent on rehab and recovery places for those struggling with addiction.'
Cost Analysis and Political Context
The Thistle facility opened in January last year to allow addicts to inject under medical supervision at an annual cost of £2.3 million. Official figures reveal that 575 people used the centre during its first twelve months of operation, meaning the cost per user exceeded £4,000. The facility is overseen by Glasgow City Integration Joint Board, a partnership between the city council and Glasgow's health board.
The Conservative intervention comes as Police Scotland confirmed officers were carrying out enquiries following the death of a man outside Glasgow's drug consumption room on Hunter Street. Around 10:20am on Sunday, 8 March 2026, police received reports of the death, with initial indications suggesting no suspicious circumstances. Glasgow City Council confirmed it is assisting police with their enquiries.
Political Battle Over Recovery Legislation
Ms Wells highlighted that SNP and Green MSPs rejected the Conservative's Right to Recovery Bill last year, accusing them of 'playing politics with people's lives.' She confirmed that following May's election, the party intends to reintroduce the legislation, stating: 'Our bold new policy paper will give proper support to those who need it most and will ditch the SNP's agenda that has failed the most vulnerable for too long.'
Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay added: 'Nicola Sturgeon was forced to admit that she shamefully took her eye off the ball in tackling Scotland's rising drug-death rate and it remains one of the most abject failures of her time as First Minister.'
'The SNP's reckless policy decisions have allowed Scotland's streets to be flooded with drugs and over 1,000 Scots are losing their lives every year as a result,' Mr Findlay asserted. 'This disgraceful situation doesn't have to continue. But if we are ever to tackle our drugs deaths emergency, we must stop an SNP majority at May's election.'
Government Response and Alternative Measures
Drugs and Alcohol Policy Minister Maree Todd defended the government's approach, stating: 'The Scottish Budget maintains record levels of funding for alcohol and drugs policy of more than £160 million in total and we are widening access to treatment, residential rehabilitation and life-saving naloxone.'
Ms Todd highlighted that the government opened the UK's first Safer Drug Consumption Facility and is working to implement drug-checking services. 'This facility has had a profound impact in its first year. Quick staff response in the event of an overdose has undoubtedly saved lives,' she said.
The minister added that following extensive engagement, the Scottish Government developed 'a suite of non-legislative measures that go further than the Right to Recovery Bill in improving access and quality.' Health Secretary Neil Gray has encouraged other areas to propose similar facilities without waiting for the Glasgow pilot to conclude.
The political debate intensifies as Scotland continues to grapple with Europe's highest drug death rate, with both sides presenting fundamentally different approaches to addressing the ongoing crisis that claims over a thousand Scottish lives annually.
