Welcome to the Thistle - the UK's first and only drug consumption room. After nearly a decade of deadlock and wrangling over drug laws the centre is finally ready to open. On Monday it will welcome its first clients who will come in to inject illegally-bought heroin or cocaine under medical supervision.

Scotland's leader John Swinney hailed Friday the opening next week of Britain's first official consumption room for illegal drugs, after a years-long battle with the UK government over the issue.

Scotland, which has the highest rate of recorded drugs deaths in Europe, is launching a new facility for users to inject illegal drugs under medical supervision.

John Swinney visited The Thistle drug consumption room in Glasgow, set to open on Monday as the UK's first facility allowing drug use without arrest, aiming to provide support and reduce virus risks.

The UK’s first safer drugs consumption room will open in Scotland in an effort to tackle the country’s major drugs problem. The Thistle Centre, in Glasgow’s east end, will allow addicts to take drugs – including heroin – under supervision in a clean and hygienic environment,