Drug Consumption Rooms and Public Health Policy: Perspectives of Scottish Strategic Decision-Makers

James Nicholls, Wulf Livingston, Andy Perkins, Beth Cairns, Rebecca Foster, Kirsten M. A. Trayner, Harry R. Sumnall, Tracey Price, Paul Cairney, Josh Dumbrell and Tessa Parkes
Additional contact information
James Nicholls: Faculty of Health Sciences and Sport, University of Stirling, Stirling FK9 4LA, UK
Wulf Livingston: Faculty of Social and Life Sciences, Glyndwr University, Wrexham LL11 2AW, UK
Andy Perkins: Figure 8 Consultancy, Dundee DD4 0HU, UK
Beth Cairns: Figure 8 Consultancy, Dundee DD4 0HU, UK
Rebecca Foster: Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Stirling, Stirling FK9 4LA, UK
Kirsten M. A. Trayner: School of Health and Life Sciences, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow G4 0BA, UK
Harry R. Sumnall: Faculty of Health, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool L2 2QB, UK
Tracey Price: Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Stirling, Stirling FK9 4LA, UK
Paul Cairney: Faculty of Arts and Humanities, University of Stirling, Stirling FK9 4LA, UK
Josh Dumbrell: Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Stirling, Stirling FK9 4LA, UK
Tessa Parkes: Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Stirling, Stirling FK9 4LA, UK

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 11, 1-13

Abstract: There is widespread support for the introduction of Drug Consumption Rooms (DCRs) in Scotland as part of a policy response to record levels of drug-related harm. However, existing legal barriers are made more complex by the division of relevant powers between the UK and Scottish Governments. This paper reports on a national, qualitative study of key decision-makers in both local and national roles across Scotland. It explores views on the political barriers and enablers to the adoption of Drug Consumption Rooms and the potential role of these facilities in the wider treatment system. It also considers approaches to evidence, especially the types of evidence that are considered valuable in supporting decision-making in this area. The study found that Scottish decision-makers are strongly supportive of DCR adoption; however, they remain unclear as to the legal and political mechanisms that would make this possible. They view DCRs as part of a complex treatment and support system rather than a uniquely transformative intervention. They see the case for introduction as sufficient, on the basis of need and available evidence, thus adopting a pragmatic and iterative approach to evidence, in contrast to an appeal to traditional evidence hierarchies more commonly adopted by the UK Government.

Keywords: drug consumption rooms; safer injecting facilities; overdose prevention centres; drugs; policy; harm reduction; interventions; harm reduction; problem drug use; public health; Scotland (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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