SDCF - Engagement
Glasgow's Safer Drug Consumption Facility will be called 'The Thistle'
In September 2023 Glasgow City Integration Joint Board (IJB) approved a plan to implement a Safer Drug Consumption Facility in Hunter Street Health and Care centre.
Safer drug consumption facilities (SDCFs) are clean, hygienic environments where people can consume drugs, obtained elsewhere, under the supervision of trained health and social care professionals, reducing the risk of overdose and infectious diseases whilst offering support and access to healthcare and social care services.
The Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP) is developing a plan to listen to the views and share information on the implementation of the Safer Drug Consumption Facility. The HSCP want to talk to and hear the views of as many people, groups or organisations as possible that might have an interest in this service, including:
- families, carers and their representatives
- local businesses
- staff working in health and social care services
- Integration Joint Board Members, Council Elected Members, Community Councils and Health Board Members
- providers and contractors of health and social care services from the independent and voluntary sectors
- partner organisations
- other third sector and voluntary organisations who may have an interest
- housing associations/registered social landlords.
Engagement activity
At the engagement sessions we gathered feedback and below is a table of what 'you said' at the engagement sessions and what 'we did'. Below this table you will find informatio on individual engagement sessions.
| You Said | We Did |
| You are concerned about increased drug dealing and violence in the local area when the service opens | We are working closely with Police Scotland to establish a community forum where concerns can be raised and resolved as quickly as possible once the service is operational |
| You are worried about increased anti-social behaviour in the local area | We are working with the evaluation team to ensure that any changes in anti-social behaviour will be measured and reported |
| The local residents need to know about the engagement sessions and get a chance to discuss their concerns with service leads | We scheduled engagement sessions at a variety of timeslots across community venues and promoted the sessions on posters, social media and sent out 18,000 flyers to local postcodes |
| Some people who use the SDCF may be homeless, there needs to be facilities to support them | We added a shower room and clothing store to the service |
| The local community needs somewhere to raise concerns and get a response | We will create a local engagement forum that will continue throughout implementation and delivery of the pilot |
| Many people will want to go for a smoke after injecting, it’s important they can do that and still come back in to receive aftercare services | We added a secure smoking area for service users to access from and return to the aftercare lounge area |
| People with lived experience should be involved in recruitment of staff | People with lived experience were involved in recruitment |
| A safer community would be a key measure of success | We have ensured this is included in the evaluation |
| You are frustrated at the condition of the streets surrounding Hunter Street | We arranged for the Council’s cleansing service to carry out a deep clean of the local streets before the service opens |
Engagement activity is already underway and the HSCP are keen to involve local residents or those living in the vicinity with an interest in the service.
Engagement will continue throughout the implementation of the service and once it’s up and running. Including opportunities in the new year for anyone out with the area of the facility who would like to get involved.
The table below contains information on some of the engagement activity that has taken place or is planned to take place. This table will be updated from time to time. Where the engagement opportunity is open to attendance from members of the local community or other stakeholders to attend, or where you can access details of the activity the dates and relevant links are provided for your information. Please make contact directly with each forum if you wish to get involved.
| Engagement Activity | Date(s) |
|---|---|
| Government, elected members and board members | |
| • Meetings with a range of Elected Members | October to November 2023 |
| • Attendance at Scottish Parliament Joint Committee | 2/11/2023 |
| • Meeting with UK Government | November 2023 |
| • Report to Glasgow City Integration Joint Board | 29 November 2023 |
| Local organisations and businesses | |
| • Meetings with a range of local organisation and businesses | October to November 2023 |
| • Meetings with third sector and voluntary organisations | Various from November 2023 |
| Local communities | |
| • Calton Heritage and Learning Centre - drop in session | 25/09/2024 4.30pm to 6pm |
| • Calton Heritage and Learning Centre - drop in session | 20/08/2024 10am to 12noon |
| • Calton Heritage and Learning Centre - drop in session | 15/08/2024 6pm to 8pm |
| • Calton Heritage and Learning Centre - drop in session | 20/06/2024 6pm to 8pm |
| • Calton Heritage and Learning Centre - drop in session | 12/06/2024 10am to 12noon |
| • Calton Heritage and Learning Centre - drop in session | 30/05/2024 6pm to 8pm |
| • Bridgeton Community Centre - drop in session | 15/05/2024 2.30pm to 4.30pm |
| • Bridgeton Community Centre - drop in session | 25/04/2024 6pm to 8pm |
| • Calton Heritage and Learning Centre - drop in session | 22/04/2024 10am to 12noon |
| • Calton Heritage and Learning Centre - drop in session | 26/03/2024 10am to 12noon |
| • Bridgeton Community Centre - drop in session | 21/03/2024 5.30pm to 7.30pm |
| • Calton Community Council - read our flyer advertising these sessions | 28/09/2023 |
| • Merchant City and Trongate Community Council | 28 November 2023 |
| • Dennistoun Community Council | Date to be confirmed |
| • Meeting with local communities, including members of the public, at the Locality Engagement Forums | 14/11/2023 (North East) 23/11/2023 (North West) |
| People and organisations that receive and deliver addiction services | |
| • Meetings with people who receive addictions related services and their families | Various over November and December 2023 |
| • Drop-in sessions for service users and families | 27/11/2023 |
| • Drop-in sessions for staff working with people and families in receipt of services | November 2023 |
| • Engagement with staff involved in the implementation of the facility | October 2023 |
| • Online sessions with voluntary sector provider organisations working in the addictions field | November 2023 |
| Other | |
| • Meetings and discussions with staff of similar facilities in other countries | October and November 2023 |
| • Meeting with Area Partnership Groups across the city | Various over November to March 2024 |
More information
You can find more information on our frequently asked questions page.