PLANS for a rogue drug consumption facility on the streets of Glasgow – set up in defiance of the law – have been given a significant boost after the state funded Scottish Drugs Forum offered their support.
The backing from the expert body came on a tricky day for Peter Krykant, the frustrated HIV street worker risking arrest to push ahead with the mobile facility.
Yesterday morning the crowdfunder he had set up to buy and kit out a van was abruptly and unexpectedly closed down.
Krykant said he wasn’t given any warning or told why the page had been shut, and JustGiving did not respond to The National’s request for a comment.
Before it was taken offline more than £2000 had been donated – all of which has now been refunded.
READ MORE: Susan Aitken wants bold action to stop Scottish drugs emergency
The activist, who has experienced addiction and is now in recovery, announced late on Friday that he was going ahead with the room, as he was “no longer able to sit back and do nothing” following the two days of drug summits by the Scottish and UK Governments where no firm actions were agreed.
Krykant’s plans would see users offered clean needles, a clean space to inject and treatment for any abscesses or wounds from injecting, along with clean water, swabs, baby wipes and hand sanitiser. Activists in other countries, like Denmark and Canada, have made similar interventions, which have led to governments finally approving the facilities.
He said: “It’s not dampened my spirits in any way, it’s just renewed my conviction. These are the challenges that we’re going to face.
“We’re not even at the point when we’re out there yet and already the system is putting barriers in our place, in front of us.”
READ MORE: UK drug use costs society £19 billion a year, report finds
If he raises enough to operate the facility, Krykant’s fate will ultimately lie in the hands of police.
Asked on Thursday what would happen if a room was opened in Glasgow in defiance of the UK Government, Home Office minister Kit Malthouse said it would be a matter for the authorities.
“Well, if there is a commission of a crime, it would be for Police Scotland to decide to arrest those people,” he said.
Krykant told The National: “I think If they arrest a former drug addict for implementing an internationally evidence-based approach to helping problematic substance users, the Government would look more silly around drug policy than they already do.”
Yesterday, the SDF made a last ditch appeal for “the Scottish Government, Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service and UK Home Office to work to ensure that a pilot facility, at least, is provided in Scotland”.
READ MORE: Policing Minister’s behaviour at drugs conference is hard to believe
But, they added, if that doesn’t happen, then the crown should not go after the users or volunteers working in the facility.
“The prosecution of the people developing and delivering this service would not be in the public interest and would result in further adverse public health outcomes,” they said.
They continued: “In the current circumstances of a national public health emergency, SDF supports the reduction of drug related harms through the establishment of a supervised drug consumption facility, and asks all parties to work together.”
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