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

Citation

Nicholls J, Livingston W, Perkins A, Cairns B, Foster R, Trayner KMA, Sumnall HR, Price T, Cairney P, Dumbrell J & Parkes T (2022) Drug Consumption Rooms and Public Health Policy: Perspectives of Scottish Strategic Decision-Makers. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19 (11), Art. No.: 6575. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19116575

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

Journal
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health: Volume 19, Issue 11

People

Professor Paul Cairney

Professor, Politics

Mr Joshua Dumbrell

Research Assistant (Peer Research), Dementia and Ageing

Dr James Nicholls

Senior Lecturer in Public Health, Health Sciences Stirling

Professor Tessa Parkes

Professor, Faculty of Social Sciences