UK's first drug consumption room given go-ahead

This piece of news concerns a recent statement by Scotland's chief lawyer, Lord Advocate Dorothy Bain, available here.

The UK's first official consumption room for illegal drugs including heroin and cocaine has been approved by authorities in Glasgow.

The facility is backed by the Scottish government as a way to tackle the country's drugs deaths crisis.

The pilot scheme will be based at a health centre in the east end of Glasgow.

It will see users take their own drugs under the supervision of trained health professionals.

Glasgow's Integration Joint Board, which brings together NHS and council officials, ratified the plans at an online meeting on Wednesday morning.

It is hoped the project, funded by the Scottish government, will be opened by next summer - and will run for an initial three years at a total cost of £7m.