The Thistle safer drugs ­consumption facility opened in Glasgow in January after years of political wrangling between the ­Scottish and UK governments.

It is accepted that one unit alone cannot turn the tide of woe that makes Scotland the European drug deaths capital. It is also accepted that addiction will persist whether or not there are humane facilities that treat drug users with dignity.

But the fact is that The Thistle is now clearly being accepted by the sizeable drug injecting community in Glasgow. It means the city – the first in the UK to adopt such facilities – joins the ranks of other progressive cities like Barcelona, Paris, Munich and Copenhagen.

It is an embarrassment and a sign of stunted drugs policy that we don’t see similar centres in places such as Edinburgh and Dundee – where there is a clear need – and cities such as London, Manchester and Birmingham. The UK as a whole has a massive problem with drug deaths.

The costs of establishing drug consumption rooms will be more than made up by the reduced costs of dealing with the fallout from deaths. There is no doubt that some of those using centres like The Thistle are putting themselves within reach of those who might help them.

It is time to acknowledge the Glasgow pilot facility as a success that should be a template for towns and cities across the UK with a drugs problem.

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Vape ban challenge

Banning disposable vapes on June 1 will be a huge step forward in reducing the sea of litter on our streets. As soon as these pernicious gadgets exploded on to the market, it became clear that they were creating a massive environmental problem.

Worse still, they’ve encouraged a new generation of youngsters – many still in school – to take up a nicotine habit with crudely targeted flavours like gummy bear, candy floss and bubblegum. That’s why the Record campaigned for a ban and we’re pleased that, in two months’ time, these polluting devices will be off our shelves in Scotland and the UK. But, to put it simply, the ban has to work.

The enforcement regime which is behind it must have teeth and resources. Unscrupulous traders must be punished to the full extent of the law.

We must reduce the litter mountain generated by these products. We must get them out of the hands of children. Only then can we truly claim victory.