Politics · United Kingdom · 12 hrs ago
Scotland opens its first drug-checking service in Glasgow
Scotland’s first drug-checking service has opened in Glasgow, where people aged 18 and over can submit drug samples.
Staff will tell them about a substance’s strength and possible contaminants, and offer harm-reduction advice.
The service will operate from The Thistle, a Glasgow facility where people can inject drugs under clinical supervision.
Drugs Minister Maree Todd said the checking service would save lives, while opponents argued it could appear to endorse illegal drug sales.
Scotland recorded 1,133 drug deaths last year, amid criticism of the government’s approach to tackling the crisis.
A recovery organisation’s chief executive warned that a checked drug is not a safe drug and said harm reduction should be linked to support for recovery.
More checking facilities are planned in Aberdeen and Dundee, with a site also planned for Edinburgh.
Scotland’s first drug-checking service opened in Glasgow on Monday.
The service lets people aged 18 and over submit drug samples and receive advice about strength and contaminants.
Drugs Minister Maree Todd said the service would save lives.
Critics warned that drug checking could be seen as approval of illegal drug sales or use.
Further services are due to open in Aberdeen and Dundee, and one is planned for Edinburgh.
- Who
- The service is for people aged 18 and over. Drugs Minister Maree Todd officially launched it.
- What
- Scotland’s first drug-checking service opened. It checks submitted drug samples and provides harm-reduction advice.
- When
- Monday, 9 November 2026.
- Where
- The Thistle in Glasgow.
- Why
- To provide information about drugs’ strength and contaminants and, according to Todd, to save lives.
Scottish Government and service supporters
Critics
Purpose
Scottish Government and service supporters
Todd said the service would save lives by providing drug checks and harm-reduction advice.
Critics
Critics questioned the approach, arguing it could be seen as approval of illegal drug sales or use.
Risks and recovery
Scottish Government and service supporters
Glasgow City Council said it was taking new and radical approaches to treating addiction.
Critics
Annemarie Ward warned that a checked drug is not a safe drug and said harm reduction should not replace recovery support.
The Thistle safer drug consumption facility opened in Glasgow.
Scotland’s first drug-checking service officially launched at The Thistle in Glasgow.
Further drug-checking facilities are due to open in Aberdeen and Dundee, and a site is planned for Edinburgh.
- First service
- Scotland’s first drug-checking service
- Location
- The Thistle, Glasgow
- Minimum age
- 18
- Launch
- Monday, 9 November 2026
- Planned locations
- Aberdeen, Dundee and Edinburgh
What people are saying
I think that this will save lives.
see no issue with effectively giving the green light to the sale of illegal drugs
A checked drug is not a safe drug, and ministers must guard against a test result being mistaken for a permission slip.
Recovery needs a budget and a pathway not a reassuring cameo at the end of another press release.