<p>Will a country allow drug addicts to 'officially' consume heroin and cocaine in&nbsp; rooms created by the government? Britain just did that, in a move to address drug-related deaths. UK authorities&nbsp;have cleared the way for erecting official consumption rooms for illegal drugs in a move aimed at "tackling the drug crisis."&nbsp;</p>

<p>This is a pilot scheme backed by the Scottish government. The first such room has appeared in the east end of Glasgow, where users can take drugs under the supervision of medical experts.</p>

<p>The plan was given an official nod on Wednesday (Sep 27) by&nbsp;Glasgow's Integration Joint Board.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Users won't be prosecuted</strong></h2>

<p>The project was in the pipeline for years but greenlit now after special law arrangements were made to exempt users from legal action for consuming illegal drugs in these rooms.</p>

<p>According to a report by BBC, users will be able to inject drugs at the Glasgow facility, but a different proposal which would have allowed users to smoke illegal substances was struck down.</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;How inflation is affecting the UK economy</strong></p>

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<p>Dr Saket Priyadarshi, associate medical director of Glasgow alcohol and drug recovery services, was quoted by BBC as saying that she hopes to add those proposals as well in due course as "we move forward."</p>

<p>She also believes that the "project would reduce drug-related harms&nbsp;for individuals and provide them with opportunities for treatment, care and recovery".</p>

<h2><strong>Why official drug consumption rooms have been established in UK</strong></h2>

<p>The establishment of the consumption rooms is a key component of broader efforts undertaken by the Scottish government to address a crisis that has resulted in a higher per capita rate of fatalities than any other European region.</p>

<p>In 2020, the number of drug-related deaths reached a peak at 1,339.</p>

<p>There was&nbsp;a slight decline in 2021, followed by a significant drop of approximately 20 per cent&nbsp;in 2022, reducing the figure to 1,051.</p>

<p>However, recent preliminary data suggests a potential resurgence in these numbers.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-to-charge-five-bulgarian-nationals-suspected-of-spying-for-russia-638384"><strong>Also read:&nbsp;UK to charge five Bulgarian nationals suspected of spying for Russia</strong></a></p>

<p>The initiative to create a consumption room enjoys support from members of the Scottish National Party, Labour, and Liberal Democrat politicians.</p>

<p>Nevertheless, the UK Home Office maintains its stance that there is no safe way to consume illegal drugs.</p>

<h2><strong>Users hail the project</strong></h2>

<p>As weird as the idea of this programme may sound, for drug users in the Glasgow area, the initiative is simply "brilliant".&nbsp;</p>

<p>Jade, 33, a drug user in the east end was quoted by BBC as saying that&nbsp;it was a "brilliant idea" which would "make a massive, massive difference".</p>

<p>"My ex-partner died of drugs. My dad died. He was an addict. My sister passed away. A lot of my friends have passed away," she added.</p>

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Will a country allow drug addicts to 'officially' consume heroin and cocaine in rooms created by the government? Britain just did that, in a move to address drug-related deaths.

Will a country allow drug addicts to 'officially' consume heroin and cocaine in rooms created by the government? Britain just did that, in a move to address drug-related deaths. UK authorities have cleared the way for erecting official consumption rooms for illegal drugs in a move aimed at "tackling the drug crisis." This is a pilot scheme backed by the Scottish government. The first such room has appeared in the east end of Glasgow, where users can take drugs under the supervision of medical experts. The plan was given an official nod on Wednesday (Sep 27) by Glasgow's Integration Joint Board. Users won't be prosecuted The project was in the pipeline for years but greenlit now after special law arrangements were made to exempt users from legal action for consuming illegal drugs in these rooms. According to a report by BBC, users will be able to inject drugs at the Glasgow facility, but a different proposal which would have allowed users to smoke illegal substances was struck down. Watch: How inflation is affecting the UK economy × Dr Saket Priyadarshi, associate medical director of Glasgow alcohol and drug recovery services, was quoted by BBC as saying that she hopes to add those proposals as well in due course as "we move forward." She also believes that the "project would reduce drug-related harms for individuals and provide them with opportunities for treatment, care and recovery". Why official drug consumption rooms have been established in UK The establishment of the consumption rooms is a key component of broader efforts undertaken by the Scottish government to address a crisis that has resulted in a higher per capita rate of fatalities than any other European region. In 2020, the number of drug-related deaths reached a peak at 1,339. There was a slight decline in 2021, followed by a significant drop of approximately 20 per cent in 2022, reducing the figure to 1,051. However, recent preliminary data suggests a potential resurgence in these numbers. Also read: UK to charge five Bulgarian nationals suspected of spying for Russia The initiative to create a consumption room enjoys support from members of the Scottish National Party, Labour, and Liberal Democrat politicians. Nevertheless, the UK Home Office maintains its stance that there is no safe way to consume illegal drugs. Users hail the project As weird as the idea of this programme may sound, for drug users in the Glasgow area, the initiative is simply "brilliant". Jade, 33, a drug user in the east end was quoted by BBC as saying that it was a "brilliant idea" which would "make a massive, massive difference". "My ex-partner died of drugs. My dad died. He was an addict. My sister passed away. A lot of my friends have passed away," she added. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Wait, what? UK sets up official consumption rooms to 'help' users take illegal drugs like cocaine

<p>Scotland on Friday unveiled its plans to decriminalise the possession of all drugs for personal use, aiming to address the alarming drug death rate, which currently stands as the highest in Europe. Reuters reports that the devolved government in Edinburgh emphasised that these measures should be implemented by the British government in London, which has the authority to regulate drug-related matters within the UK's political structure.</p>

<h2><strong>What the Scotland government is proposing</strong></h2>

<p>The proposed policy change aims to shift the approach from criminalisation to treatment and support for individuals struggling with drug addiction.</p>

<p>By decriminalising drug possession, Scotland hopes to provide these individuals with the necessary assistance and increase their chances of finding employment during the recovery process.</p>

<p><strong>Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/british-police-seize-cannabis-worth-146-mn-charge-over-450-people-in-massive-month-long-operation-613136">British police seize cannabis worth $146 mn, charge over 450 people in massive month-long operation</a></strong></p>

<p>Elena Whitham, Scotland's Minister for Drugs Policy, acknowledged that the proposals would spark debate but highlighted their alignment with the government's public health approach.</p>

<p>"While we know these proposals will spark debate, they are in line with our public health approach and would further our national mission to improve and save lives," said Whitham, in a statement.</p>

<p>"We are working hard within the powers we have to reduce drug deaths, and while there is more we need to do, our approach is simply at odds with the Westminster legislation we must operate within," she added.</p>

<p>Scotland's drug death rate remains a grave concern, with 327 deaths per million population in 2020. This figure significantly surpasses the next highest rate in Norway, which stood at 85, according to official statistics.</p>

<h2><strong>UK central government's stand</strong></h2>

<p>As per Reuters, a spokesperson for British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak dismissed the possibility of any policy change, affirming the government's commitment to maintaining its tough stance on drugs.</p>

<p>"There are no plans to alter our tough stance on drugs," said the spokesperson.</p>

<p><strong>Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/captured-on-camera-body-cam-footage-from-biggest-jewellery-heist-in-us-history-reveals-unknown-facts-613098">Captured on camera: Body cam footage from biggest jewellery heist in US history reveals unknown facts</a></strong></p>

<p>The governing Scottish National Party, which advocates for Scottish independence, has been involved in clashes with the British government on other contentious issues, including a proposed gender recognition reform law.</p>

<h2>Drug possession around the world</h2>

<p>While drug possession is illegal in many parts of the world, several countries have already decriminalised various forms of drug possession — this includes Portugal, Netherlands, Switzerland and Czechia.</p>

<p>Health experts argue that such measures would enable individuals struggling with addiction to be treated as patients rather than criminals, emphasising the importance of a public health-oriented approach.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

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Scotland on Friday unveiled its plans to decriminalise the possession of all drugs for personal use, aiming to address the alarming drug death rate, which currently stands as the highest in Europe.

Scotland on Friday unveiled its plans to decriminalise the possession of all drugs for personal use, aiming to address the alarming drug death rate, which currently stands as the highest in Europe. Reuters reports that the devolved government in Edinburgh emphasised that these measures should be implemented by the British government in London, which has the authority to regulate drug-related matters within the UK's political structure. What the Scotland government is proposing The proposed policy change aims to shift the approach from criminalisation to treatment and support for individuals struggling with drug addiction. By decriminalising drug possession, Scotland hopes to provide these individuals with the necessary assistance and increase their chances of finding employment during the recovery process. Also read | British police seize cannabis worth $146 mn, charge over 450 people in massive month-long operation Elena Whitham, Scotland's Minister for Drugs Policy, acknowledged that the proposals would spark debate but highlighted their alignment with the government's public health approach. "While we know these proposals will spark debate, they are in line with our public health approach and would further our national mission to improve and save lives," said Whitham, in a statement. "We are working hard within the powers we have to reduce drug deaths, and while there is more we need to do, our approach is simply at odds with the Westminster legislation we must operate within," she added. Scotland's drug death rate remains a grave concern, with 327 deaths per million population in 2020. This figure significantly surpasses the next highest rate in Norway, which stood at 85, according to official statistics. UK central government's stand As per Reuters, a spokesperson for British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak dismissed the possibility of any policy change, affirming the government's commitment to maintaining its tough stance on drugs. "There are no plans to alter our tough stance on drugs," said the spokesperson. Also read | Captured on camera: Body cam footage from biggest jewellery heist in US history reveals unknown facts The governing Scottish National Party, which advocates for Scottish independence, has been involved in clashes with the British government on other contentious issues, including a proposed gender recognition reform law. Drug possession around the world While drug possession is illegal in many parts of the world, several countries have already decriminalised various forms of drug possession — this includes Portugal, Netherlands, Switzerland and Czechia. Health experts argue that such measures would enable individuals struggling with addiction to be treated as patients rather than criminals, emphasising the importance of a public health-oriented approach. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Scotland proposes decriminalisation of drugs to tackle Europe's worst narcotics related death rate

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Wait, what? UK sets up official consumption rooms to 'help' users take illegal drugs like cocaine

Scotland proposes decriminalisation of drugs to tackle Europe's worst narcotics related death rate