By Susanne Miller

THE spotlight is firmly on Glasgow as the city wrestles with an HIV outbreak and faces some the highest number of drugs deaths in Europe. It’s therefore fitting we are playing host to two major drugs summits this week.

But the drugs crisis is not unique to Glasgow – other cities face similar problems, and policy makers from around the UK are looking to the city to see how it is responding to this major crisis. We must use the momentum brought by these high-profile events to further implement positive change and showcase the progressive and integrated approach to tackle Glasgow’s drug problem.

Thanks to a number of joined up and coordinated initiatives implemented on the ground, the foundation already exists. But more needs to be done, and this demands a corresponding coordination at a legislative level.

The city currently leads the way on treatments for people affected by addiction with its enhanced drug treatment service, including heroin-assisted treatment – the first of its kind in our country – allowing us to engage with the most vulnerable groups. While it’s early days, initial reports are positive, and the model will play an increasingly significant role in combating the drugs problem across the UK.

However, engagement capacity with people who inject drugs is limited and the service is no silver-bullet. A multi-faceted approach is necessary and Glasgow’s HSCP, alongside a number of other health and social care organisations, has long been campaigning for a safer drugs consumption facility (SDCF).

There is an overwhelming body of evidence which demonstrates the success of SDCFs in cities across the world. They take people injecting drugs off the street – reducing problems associated with public injecting by providing safe, hygienic and private spaces. Just as importantly, they provide a crucial touchpoint for health and social services to engage with people involved in addiction – providing consistent support and referrals to help tackle the wider issues which are inevitably linked. SDCFs also provide onsite primary care to treat drug-elated injuries, alongside emergency care which can prevent overdose deaths.

There is a wider economic case for SDCFs. Better engagement and treatment for people involved in addiction means there is less strain on other NHS services, which could see a reduction in health costs as people are more effectively managed through treatment centres. Centres are carefully located in places to remove the danger and nuisance of public injecting, resulting in less disruption to communities. Additionally, any pilot would have a commitment to participating in research to inform wider policy on drugs.

The initiative has the support of the Scottish Government, Glasgow City Council and the Integrated Joint Board, but drugs laws are reserved to Westminster, and under current legislation an SDCF would be illegal. A change in the law would be pivotal in giving Glasgow the SDCF it sorely needs.

This week the scene is set and all eyes will be on Glasgow. We have an opportunity to showcase a progressive drugs policy and services which view addiction for what it is – a multi-faceted, complex issue relating to wider issue of mental health, poverty, and trauma, requiring a joined up response. Glasgow can be seen as the model within the UK demonstrating a truly coordinated and effective approach to tackle the drug problem.

Speaking on behalf of all services working to combat the drugs crisis, I urge Government to amend existing, or, introduce new legislation to allow this crucial pilot to progress.

Susanne Millar is interim chief executive at Glasgow City Health and Social Care Partnership