Calls for an introduction for safe use drug rooms after addicts use Edinburgh communal stairwell to inject

Drug users consuming heroin in communal stairwells in north Edinburgh has led to residents demanding for the Scottish government to do something to address the issue.

Left over packaging which is believed to be used by heroin users when consuming the substance

Mother-of-five Laura Wilson, 38, from Crewe Toll and her neighbours regularly find empty packets of alcohol wipes and syringes as well as tin foil with the remnants of what looked like heroin.

Laura’s neighbour Gill has also had to clear her stairwell of debris left by drug addicts this past week.

Laura said: “I live here with my two daughters, one of which is 11 and the other is 16 but I also have grandchildren visiting me during the week.“I have sympathy for them as they are obviously going through something traumatic but it is also not fair on us residents. My greatest fear is that my granddaughter may accidentally pick something up and consume it or my cat may end up hurting itself with the litter that they leave behind.

Blood soaked wet wipes to remove blood from area of injection

“If the government can supply them with clean materials to inject, then why can they not provide a safe space as well? Instead the issue is passed onto those who stay near to hostels or drug taking communities.”

Residents have said that there is a homeless hostel nearby and they believe addicts staying they are using their stairwells to take drugs.

Peter Krykant, a drug policy campaigner with lived experience of being an addict, has introduced a safe drug use van in Glasgow.

It has been based on similar projects in Vancouver and Copenhagen which saw the government take over control to regulate and support the service.

Empty packaging of a spoon provided to heroin users

The campaigner said earlier this year that the SNP had agreed to implement safe drug use rooms but drugs laws are reserved to Westminster.

Peter said: “The SNP committed to decriminalising drugs at their last party conference and had committed to introducing safe drug use rooms previously.

“But throughout their tenure they have cited the UK Misuse of Drugs Act as stopping them from implementing much needed policy changes. This has been in direct conflict with the legal advice we have had that says Scotland has devolved powers that would allow it to open up the spaces.

“Police there say it is the best thing that has happened as they are not picking up dead bodies who have overdosed in the streets anymore and that spaces once used by drug users, have now been reclaimed by the public and business. This benefits society with less hospital admissions and ambulance call outs.”

Suspected empty needle packet

Scotland has seen a rise of 27 percent in drug deaths over the past three years and a government spokesperson said: “"While we do support the principles behind these facilities clearly the Scottish government must operate within the law so that an approved facility can guarantee a clinically, physically and legally safe environment for all participants and staff. The Lord Advocate has made clear that the introduction of such a facility would require legislative change to establish a legal regime for its operation, and the Scottish Government cannot condone any action which is against the law.

“We continue to urge the UK Government to take action to change the law so that such facilities can be established as quickly as possible, either by taking the necessary steps themselves or by devolving powers to Scotland.”

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