Scotland’s first national drug testing facilities granted approval in Glasgow and Dundee

The UK government has granted Glasgow and Dundee city councils permission to run the first national specialist recreational drug testing facilities.

The licences will allow people who are dependent drug users to provide a small amount of what they plan to take to be checked for any contamination.

Local authorities in Scotland have been pursuing the licences, which require permission from the Home Office, for several years.

A similar service already runs in Bristol, where users can leave a small amount of what drugs they are planning to take, which is then tested, and the results, along with specialist help, are passed on to those who submitted the samples.

STV News understands that the service in Scotland will operate in the same way.

A similar testing service already runs in Bristol in England. STV News

What are they testing for?

People will be able to submit drugs for testing and receive harm-reduction advice alongside the results, and the Scottish Government said the lab will boost efforts to cut drug-related harm and save lives.

Drug testing focuses on two critical areas to help reduce the risks associated with recreational substances.

First, experts are examining what these drugs have been cut with, that is, the additional substances mixed into the drugs.

These contaminants can range from harmless fillers to dangerous chemicals that may cause unexpected health problems or increase the chance of harm.

Similar facilities will open elsewhere in Scotland, it is expected. STV News

At the same time, tests are being conducted to confirm whether the drugs are actually what users believe them to be.

In some cases, substances sold as familiar drugs like MDMA or cocaine contain much stronger and more dangerous compounds such as fentanyl or nitazines.

These substances can be far more potent than expected, significantly raising the risk of accidental overdoses. In other cases, the drugs might turn out to be completely different substances altogether.

By focusing on both contamination and accurate identification, these tests aim to provide crucial information to users, helping to prevent harm and save lives.

Where will the services be based?

The University of Dundee has agreed to host Scotland’s first national testing and research laboratory for drug-checking, boosting efforts to cut drug-related harm and save lives.

Part of a national pilot and backed by increased Scottish Government funding of more than £1.5 million, the site will analyse samples to help respond to emerging trends such as highly dangerous synthetic substances.

It is understood that the Glasgow service will be based in the area around Hunter Street in the city’s East End, close to the current Thistle Safer Drug Consumption Room.

The Thistle: UK's first drugs consumption room in Glasgow. — The Thistle: UK’s first drugs consumption room in Glasgow. STV News

The testing will require specialist equipment to be purchased and installed.

It is expected that the site will be up and running from early next year, now that the site has had approval granted from the Home Office.

Meanwhile, the Home Office has received applications for similar services in Aberdeen and Dundee, and a fourth facility in Edinburgh is working on its application.

Drugs and alcohol policy minister Maree Todd said: “The University of Dundee has a strong reputation for forensic science and reaching this agreement, along with the licence approval for the first drug-checking site, are vital steps in our National Mission on drugs.

“It is particularly important in light of the current dangers posed by new synthetic opioids like nitazenes, which raise the risk of overdose and death. Often, people who use drugs are not aware of exactly what they contain. That is why we have consistently impressed upon the UK Government the importance of giving drug-checking facilities the go-ahead.

“We will now work at pace with local partners in Glasgow and all the pilot cities to get these services up and running as soon as possible.”

LRCFS director professor Niamh Nic Daeid said: “We are very pleased to be able to support the Scottish Government’s National Mission to reduce drug-related deaths.

“The National Research and Testing Laboratory will provide information and research about the types of drugs circulating in Scotland that will inform colleagues and communities working to reduce drug deaths across the country.”

Glasgow City convener for workforce, homelessness and addiction services councillor Allan Casey said: “We are delighted to have received notification of the Home Office licence approval, having worked on the application and alongside national partners for some time.

“The service will complement other harm-reduction services in operation across the city and provide an opportunity to engage people in conversations about their health and wellbeing, as well as treatment, care and recovery.”