However, due to concerns raised over the report having been published late, the decision has been delayed to its next meeting in September.\u00a0<\/p>\n
During the meeting, Councillor Max Mitchell shared feelings of confusion due to the circumstances.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Cllr Mitchell said: \u201cI have no idea what I\u2019m being asked to do, and I feel very uncomfortable.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n The councillor added: \u201c[I\u2019ve] had so little time to look at this, not being able to have a conversation with the chief officer, to make sure I\u2019m understanding moving to the next stage of the process.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cI want to make sure I\u2019m making the right decision, whether it\u2019s this wee step or a larger step down the road.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Chair of the EIJB Councillor Tim Pogson responded: \u201cIf 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.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Cllr Pogson said that he was \u201cvery apologetic\u201d about the circumstances, later adding that the \u201creport came very, very late\u201d.\u00a0<\/p>\n EIJB member George Gordon echoed Cllr Mitchell\u2019s concerns, saying he also felt \u201cvery uncomfortable\u201d about making a decision.\u00a0<\/p>\n George said: \u201cI don\u2019t [feel comfortable] taking decisions until I\u2019ve fully read all the paperwork and fully understood it, which I\u2019m not in a position to be at this present moment.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n 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.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n Mr Hall described \u201cpositive\u201d engagement with the Scottish Government to date, though added: \u201cWe\u2019re not going to get a firm commitment from the Scottish Government about any additional funding until there\u2019s something firm to commit to.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n In a deputation <\/a>to the EIJB, Josh, chair of the Safe Consumption Facilities Edinburgh said: \u201cScotland\u2019s drug crisis continues to be one of the worst in the world.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Josh continued: \u201cAccording 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\u2019re almost certain to show an increase.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n The chair raised that these deaths are \u201ccompletely preventable in many cases\u201d, saying a SCF is \u201curgently needed in Edinburgh\u201d.\u00a0<\/p>\n Josh added: \u201cHow many people need to die before we realise that what we\u2019re doing is not working?\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cHow many people need to die before we see the real change that this city needs?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cIf we truly want those on drugs to recover, then they must be alive to do so\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n 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.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n 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.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n After this, officers would then be able to go ahead and produce a business case to be considered by the Scottish Government.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n Leith, Spittal Street and Cowgate are identified in the report as potential locations for a SCF, with Cowgate <\/a>and Spittal Street said to \u201chave the greatest potential to reduce harm\u201d.\u00a0<\/p>\n In January 2023, an independent needs assessment and feasibility study by the Edinburgh Alcohol and Drugs Partnership (EADP) was commissioned by the council.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n Findings from the study highlighted that the council and EADP \u201cshould take steps to introduce SDCF provision in the city\u201d and recommends introducing this in \u201cmore than one location\u201d.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/SCF_PROGRESS_DELAYED_DN01.jpg\"\/)
<\/a>A candle-lit vigil protest held by Safe Consumption Edinburgh outside the City Chambers building on 17 April 2025. (C) Safe Consumption Facilities Edinburgh.<\/p>\n