PEOPLE are dying from drugs in Glasgow as a result of a failure of government to help a MP has told the Scottish Secretary.

Alison Thewliss, Glasgow Central SNP MP, said that it was not good enough when David Mundell tried to defend the Home Office position on denying permission for a Safe Drug Consumption Facility in the city.

The MP had asked if Mr Mundell had any talks with the Home Secretary over a medically supervised Drug Consumption Facility in Glasgow.

Mr Mundell however, sticking to the Government line, said there was no legal framework for the provision of drug consumption rooms in the UK.

He added the government would consider a report due this year from the Scottish Affairs Committee into problem drug use.

Ms Thewliss however was not satisfied with the answer.

She said: “That’s just not good enough. People in my constituency are dying for want of a safe consumption room.

“Will he come to Glasgow and meet with people in Glasgow to see why this is very much needed to reduce harm and to save lives.”

Mr Mundell did not accept the invitation but said the committee is carrying out a “serious inquiry”.

Adding “We want to look at the report and that’s what we will do.”

During his answer Ms Thewliss repeatedly challenged him to “Come to Glasgow”.

The exchange comes as a leading drug expert in the city said he expected the number of people who die from drug related causes to have increased significantly last year when the figures are published next month.

As reported in yesterday’s Evening Times Dr Saket Priyadarshi, Medical Director for Addictions, said that the consumptions rooms are successful in other countries in Europe and in Canada and Australia and could benefit people in Glasgow.

He said: “In Glasgow we know there is a population that could benefit.”

The Home Office has accepted the potential benefits of a Safe Drug Consumption Room.

However, it has said it will not allow a facility to open which would permit the possession and consumption of illegal drugs.