MORE than one million needles have been handed out to Glasgow heroin users despite an initiative to stop them injecting the drug.

As previously reported by the Evening Times, foil was given out by healthcare workers to cut down the risks connected to injecting after a botulism outbreak in the city.

However we can today reveal that 1.2m needles or syringes were given out as part of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde's (NHSGGC) needle exchange programme last year.

This compares to more than 2000 foil packs which were given out from September last year until March 2015.

Heroin users have been encouraged to use the foil to heat up and inhale the class-A substance instead of injecting with a needle.

A health board spokesman said: "Using heroin by any method carries a number of risks and clients are made clearly aware of these.

"NHSGGC’s needle exchange scheme is designed to promote safer practice amongst injecting drug users and to promote engagement with treatment and recovery services.

"The scheme follows strict national guidance set by the Scottish Government and clients are supplied with individual safe disposal bins.

"By using clean injecting equipment from needle exchanges, drug users reduce the risk of contracting blood borne viruses such as HIV and Hepatitis B and C and related infections, benefitting both drug users and the wider community.

"Foil used for smoking heroin is also available from our community drug teams and the Glasgow Drug Crisis Centre.

"It is specially designed to promote a transition from injecting to smoking drugs and reduces the risks of overdose and infection."

During the botulism outbreak, 44 people across Glasgow and the west were admitted to hospital in the six months from December.

Ten of those people died.

Police later arrested two men during a raid at a property in Calton.

Two other men were detained in connection with alleged drug offences.

Patients with botulism can often have blurred vision, slurred speech, difficulty swallowing and muscle weakness.

If left untreated the illness can lead to paralysis and death.

The Evening Times previously revealed how Glasgow is in the grip of a HIV outbreak after the number of new cases through drug injection more than trebled in a year.

NHSGGC usually sees about 10 cases of HIV through drug injection each year.

But since the start of this year there have already been 36 cases identified.

Health workers are concerned about the spike and measures are in place to encourage people not to share needles and to use protection during sexual intercourse.

There is also a push to encourage people who might be at risk to get tested and seek treatment.

The health board usually sees about 115 new cases of HIV a year.

HIV - human immunodeficiency virus - attacks the immune system, and weakens the ability to fight infections and disease.