Union leader calls for fencing to shut off drug den in Calton
Chris Mitchell of the GMB warns of danger to children as needles pile up in Glasgow’s East End
By Gary Fanning
A union leader has called for urgent action to secure a secluded area in Glasgow’s East End that he says is being used as a drug den.
Chris Mitchell, GMB Union Convenor, is urging authorities to install fencing around a site on Tobago Street in the Calton, where he says discarded needles, rubbish and makeshift furniture have turned the area into a serious public health hazard.
Mr Mitchell filmed an almost two-minute video from the scene, showing piles of rubbish, abandoned couches and numerous used syringes scattered in the undergrowth.
“Our members took away hundreds of needles yesterday,” he said. “This morning, again, there were more lying around — and two people injecting drugs in the area.”
He warned the site poses a growing risk to the local community, particularly families.
“There are new houses nearby. People are trying to build better lives here. But there are weans about. They go into bushes — it’s just what weans do. Somebody is going to be seriously hurt.”
His comments come just days after a community meeting at St Luke’s Wedding Venue on Bain Street, where around 90 residents gathered to express concerns over drug use, crime, and safety in the area.
The meeting was aimed at urging the First Minister to take action.
Residents say the situation has worsened since the opening of The Thistle, the UK’s first official drug consumption room, which launched nearby in January.
“I get the concept of the drug room,” Mr Mitchell said, “but it’s clearly not working. The community believes things have got worse since it opened.”
He is calling for the Tobago Street site to be completely cleared and fenced off using Heras fencing to prevent further access.
“This is unacceptable. It’s a breach of health and safety — for the public and for our members. We need to join the fight to stop this. Save the Calton.”
A Glasgow City Council spokesman said: “We fully understand the anxiety caused by discarded needles.
“If someone reports a discarded needle in a public place we will have it removed within 24 hours.
“Various teams are working together to address community concerns about discarded needles in the Calton area.
“Our specialist team has been safely removing discarded needles from the area in recent days.
“This team is trained and properly equipped to lift and dispose of discarded needles in line with our health and safety procedures.
“Areas of overgrowth on vacant sites, which provide cover for drug misuse, is being cut back.
“Following a successful trial in the city centre, needle bins are also being installed in areas where public injecting is known to take place.”
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