The Scottish Government says it is “hopeful” that requests to open the country’s first drug-checking facilities in Glasgow, Dundee and Aberdeen will be looked at “favourably” by the Home Office.

The service gives drug users the chance to submit samples of their substances to be analysed. They can then be given information about what is in them and their strength.

Scotland continues to have the worst rate of drug deaths in Europe. In 2022, 1,051 people lost their lives due to drug misuse.

Ministers and campaigners believe drug-checking facilities would help to reduce drug deaths, by letting users make more informed choices about what they are taking.

Licences are expected to be submitted within the coming months.

Want to see more SNP fails? – Health Matters