The Manifesto Sessions: #9 Enhanced Harm Reduction Centres

**This episode was originally recorded as a webinar on the 17th February 2026**

Our 9th webinar within our Manifesto Sessions webinar series focused on Enhanced Harm Reduction Centres (EHRCs). As part of our ‘Setting the blueprint for a more equal and prosperous Wales for people who use substances’, we want to establish memorandums of understanding to enable the implementation of EHRCs in Wales. Also known as Overdose Prevention Centres, Safer Injecting Facilities and Drug Consumption Rooms, EHRCs have long been part of effective, evidenced-based harm reduction responses to health-related matters due to substance use, and over 120 facilitates are currently operational worldwide.

Establishing and operating EHRCs would be subject to the Misuse of Drugs Act (MDA) 1971, which means that to legalise their establishment and operation, a working agreement must be drawn up with law enforcement, such as MOUs with each police force in Wales. This would guarantee that those operating the facility would not face legal challenge or be prosecuted. People in possession of illegal drugs at the facility or surrounding area would also not be arrested and / or punished.

In this episode, we hear from Dr Saket Priyadarshi, Associate Medical Director at Greater Glasgow and Clyde alcohol and drug services. Dr Priyadarshi was one of the key figures in securing the UK's first ever EHRC, The Thistle in Glasgow.

If you have been affected by the issues discussed in this episode, please visit barod.cymru and confidentially chat to a trained support worker via Barod's Live Webchat Service, that is open 7-days a week, or call Dan 24/7, Wales' national drug and alcohol helpline on 0808 808 2234 or text DAN to 81066.Follow us on:

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Contents of the video:

00:00 Introduction

02:52 Dr. Saket Priyadarshi

34:45 Q&A