MPs have questioned why SNP ministers are spending £2.3 million a year on Glasgow’s drugs “fix room” when cheaper options could save lives.
Westminster’s Scottish Affairs Committee found Scottish taxpayers are forking out for a “gold standard” drug consumption room with showers and laundry facilities — when “less sophisticated” options are available.
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The facility is designed to help drug users.
They pointed to a successful scheme in Lisbon, Portugal, where a room costs less than £250,000 a year and mobile vans around £100,000 annually.
A report to the committee said: “Other facilities could provide more cost-effective solutions.”
Drugs Policy Minister Maree Todd said: “The Thistle has been recognised by the Global Commission on Drug Policy and has saved lives.”
Scotland has Europe’s highest drugs deaths with 1,017 recorded last year.
We previously reported how cops are probing a “bad batch” drug tragedy which left one man dead and three people seriously ill.
Mercy crews raced to the emergency at the stairwell of city centre flats but the 52-year-old couldn’t be saved.
It sparked the closure of a street in Glasgow’s Cowcaddens area on Monday night.
A source said: “It appears there’s been a bad batch of whatever they took.
“It’s unusual for several users to fall ill at the same time.”
A local added: “It’s a known place for drug use unfortunately.
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Officers have confirmed that enquiries are ongoing into the incident.
But they insisted there is no risk to the wider public.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Around 8.10pm on Monday, 8 September, 2025, officers were called to a report of a group of people having taken unwell on Cambridge Street, Glasgow.
“Emergency services attended, and a 52-year-old man was pronounced dead at the scene. His next of kin is aware.
“A 37-year-old man was taken to hospital where he remains in a stable condition.
“A 38-year-old woman and a 52-year-old man were treated by ambulance staff at the scene.
“Enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances but there are not believed to be any suspicious circumstances.”