Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is a safe consumption room (SCR)

A safe consumption room is a place where individuals who suffer with substance addiction can go and use their drugs in a safe way. Visitors bring their own substances and are provided with clean equipment and support to reduce the risk of blood borne viruses and overdose deaths. 

 

2. Do you need to book a place to use the SCR?

No. Anyone who is eligible can drop in and use the service.

 

3. Is there a limit on how many times a person can visit the SCR? 

No. Individuals can visit as many times as they like. We would prefer people to use the services whenever they feel the need to consume a substance in order for them to experience the maximum safety possible. However, if staff are concerned about an individual's frequency of visits they will be directed to specialist and appropriate services.

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4. How long can I stay after I have used the SCR?

This depends on the how busy we are. We want people to stay for as long as they feel comfortable, however, if we are busy we ask that people leave after an hour to allow others access to the service.

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5. Will I be watched when I use the SCR?

Yes. Specially trained staff are there to monitor and provide assistance to those using this service. This is to ensure the safety of all who use the consumption room.

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6. What are the opening hours?

We are open everyday from 9am until 9pm.

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7. Can the public access the centre?​

Anyone who is affected by substance addiction can access the support centre. If you want to access the safe consumption room you need to meet the eligibility requirements.

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8. Who is eligible to use the SCR?

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9. What substances can be used in the SCR?

Any substances (excluding alcohol) can be consumed. We have specially designed booths to accommodate individuals who want to inject, snort or smoke various classes of substances.Please be aware this service is not for recreational use. It is reserved only for those who suffer with substance addiction.

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10. Are there any rules to using the SCR?

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11. Is medical assistance provided?

Yes, we do have multiple minor injury rooms to provide some basic medical services. If patients are deemed to have a serious illness that we cannot tend to, they will be referred to a hospital or specialist treatment centre.

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12. Why is this the first integrated SCR in the UK?

Up until now these sites which help facilitate safe practices and recovery have been illegal under UK law. However, there are many others around the world which have shown extremely positive results so the evidence points towards a need for these facilities in the UK. 

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13. Will this centre cause more problems for the general public?

The data collected from similar sites around the world show it actually decreases localised social issues and increases public safety. If more people use our facilities then there are fewer public consumptions of substances and less 'drug litter'. A similar facility in Vancouver called Insite recorded that people who attended the safe consumption room were 33% more likely to request referral to recovery programmes than people who did not use the service. 

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14. Do SCR increase drug use?

No. There is little evidence to support the idea that SCR increase drug use. Only people who suffer from addiction can use the service so it does not encourage non drug users to start using freely. Instead it educates people on safe practices and allows them to find support which can kickstart recovery journeys.

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15. I know someone who suffers with addiction, what should I do?

The most important thing to remember is to be loving and supportive. Let them know you are there fore them. There are lots of things you can do to help. However, it will depend on the person as to what actions will be most appropriate. You can come in and visit us to talk to one of our staff or send us an email and we can assist you from there.

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16. Do you facilitate recovery programmes?

No we do not. However, we do provide opportunities for discussions and referral onto recovery programmes. Our main aim is to support people wherever they are in their personal recovery journey and our support centre can help integrate people back into society. 

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17. Do you provide for teenage substance addiction?

Visitors must be 18+ to attend the SCR, however our support services can help put you in contact with specialist services for people under 18.

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18. What is substance addiction?

Addiction is defined by NHS UK as "not having control over doing, taking or using something to the point where it could be harmful to you." There are many different types of addiction, however, substance addiction refers specifically to not having control over using drugs (e.g. heroin, cocaine) to the point where it is harmful to you.

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19. What causes addiction? 

A common misconception is that people choose to take drugs and then the drugs are so powerful that their body cannot survive without them. If you speak to anyone who suffers with addiction they will tell you they would never have chosen this. Although the chemical potency of a drug can affect addiction it is not the only thing that influences it. There are a huge number of factors that can trigger addiction. Most frequently trauma (e.g. death of a loved one, abuse, homelessness, and many more) throughout life and especially as a child can increase the likelihood of substance addiction. 

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20. Why can't people who are addicted just stop?

The way our society deals with people who use drugs makes it very difficult for people to just stop. In most countries around the world it is a crime to take drugs and therefore being addicted becomes a crime. It is NOT. As a result of this stigma some (not all because everyone is different) people who suffer with addiction often find it difficult to find and maintain social connections as well as employment. This causes a spiral of decline as there are fewer and fewer meaningful connections to keep a person from turning to the only thing that will bring them comfort. For people to stop using drugs we need to support them and show them compassion rather than punishing them.

There are hundreds of research articles on the topic of addiction. If you would like to learn more the National Institute on Drug Abuse has lots of accessible information. 

 

21. I know someone who suffers with addiction and it is affecting my own mental health, what should I do?

Our support centre is open to anyone who has been affected by substance addiction. So if you feel you are struggling come and visit us. You can: talk to a member of staff, meet other people who are experiencing the same issues, join a supportive community or even just find a small bit of respite and relax for a while.

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If you have any other questions which you can't find here please visit the 'contact us' page to send us an email.