'Arrogance' of SNP's Todd over drugs room fears

THE SNP’s latest drugs minister was accused of “astonishing arrogance” after disputing concerns raised by people living near the UK’s first consumption room.

- By Ben Borland

Residents in the east end of Glasgow have reported a rise in crime and an increase in discarded needles around the Hunter Street facility.

Maree Todd visited The Thistle yesterday, along with former New Zealand prime minister Helen Clark and other members of the Global Commission on Drug Policy.

Asked if she accepts locals who believe crime and needle sightings have gone up since the centre opened in January, she said: “It’s important we're not cloth-eared to the concerns [of] the community.