PROGRESS on introducing a safe consumption facility (SCF) in Edinburgh has been delayed due to the late publishing of a report.
In yesterday’s meeting of the Edinburgh Integration Joint Board (EIJB), members were meant to respond to the Edinburgh Safer Drug Consumption Facility Feasibility Study.
However, due to concerns raised over the report having been published late, the decision has been delayed to its next meeting in September.
During the meeting, Councillor Max Mitchell shared feelings of confusion due to the circumstances.
A candle-lit vigil protest held by Safe Consumption Edinburgh outside the City Chambers building on 17 April 2025. (C) Safe Consumption Facilities Edinburgh.
Cllr Mitchell said: “I have no idea what I’m being asked to do, and I feel very uncomfortable.”
The councillor added: “[I’ve] had so little time to look at this, not being able to have a conversation with the chief officer, to make sure I’m understanding moving to the next stage of the process.
“I want to make sure I’m making the right decision, whether it’s this wee step or a larger step down the road.”
Chair of the EIJB Councillor Tim Pogson responded: “If we as a board feel like we are not in the right place to have the consideration of the decision that is in front of us, then we postpone this session to the next meeting.”
Cllr Pogson said that he was “very apologetic” about the circumstances, later adding that the “report came very, very late”.
EIJB member George Gordon echoed Cllr Mitchell’s concerns, saying he also felt “very uncomfortable” about making a decision.
George said: “I don’t [feel comfortable] taking decisions until I’ve fully read all the paperwork and fully understood it, which I’m not in a position to be at this present moment.”
Early on in the discussion, Mr Andrew Hall of the council raised that additional external funding will be needed to progress the project, like that which helped a SCF open in Glasgow at the start of this year.
Mr Hall described “positive” engagement with the Scottish Government to date, though added: “We’re not going to get a firm commitment from the Scottish Government about any additional funding until there’s something firm to commit to.”
In a deputation to the EIJB, Josh, chair of the Safe Consumption Facilities Edinburgh said: “Scotland’s drug crisis continues to be one of the worst in the world.”
Josh continued: “According to NHS Lothian, Edinburgh had 182 drug-related deaths in 2023, the figures for 2024 will be published on 2 September next week, and they’re almost certain to show an increase.”
The chair raised that these deaths are “completely preventable in many cases”, saying a SCF is “urgently needed in Edinburgh”.
Josh added: “How many people need to die before we realise that what we’re doing is not working?
“How many people need to die before we see the real change that this city needs?”
“If we truly want those on drugs to recover, then they must be alive to do so”
The report published ahead of the meeting highlighted that the Scottish Government would need a business case that has been informed by public consultation to decide whether funding can be made available.
It stated that, if a plan for public consultation on opening an SCF in Edinburgh is approved by the Strategic Planning group (SPG) this November, it is likely that this consultation would open in early 2026.
After this, officers would then be able to go ahead and produce a business case to be considered by the Scottish Government.
Leith, Spittal Street and Cowgate are identified in the report as potential locations for a SCF, with Cowgate and Spittal Street said to “have the greatest potential to reduce harm”.
In January 2023, an independent needs assessment and feasibility study by the Edinburgh Alcohol and Drugs Partnership (EADP) was commissioned by the council.
Findings from the study highlighted that the council and EADP “should take steps to introduce SDCF provision in the city” and recommends introducing this in “more than one location”.
In January 2025, the UK’s first safer drug consumption facility opened in Glasgow at the Hunter Street Health and Care Centre.
Safe Consumption Facilities (SCF) Edinburgh has been contacted for comment on the news.
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