Swinney: Consumption room should help reduce ‘entirely unacceptable’ drug deaths - The First Minister has visited the UK’s first facility where drug users can inject in a clean and safe environment.

The centre will allow addicts to take drugs under supervision in a clean and hygienic environment, with medical help available if they suffer an overdose.

John Swinney visits UK's first drug consumption room

Welcome to the Thistle - the UK's first and only drug consumption room. After nearly a decade of deadlock and wrangling over drug laws the centre is finally ready to open. On Monday it will welcome its first clients who will come in to inject illegally-bought heroin or cocaine under medical supervision.

Scotland's leader John Swinney hailed Friday the opening next week of Britain's first official consumption room for illegal drugs, after a years-long battle with the UK government over the issue.Conservative ministers in Westminster,