Latest news with #safeconsumption
Sky News
12-06-2025
- Sky News
Peter Krykant: 'Beautiful, kind and courageous' drug policy campaigner found dead
A leading drug policy reform campaigner who championed safe consumption rooms has died at the age of 48. Peter Krykant became a public figure in 2020 after setting up an unofficial facility in a minivan in response to Scotland's growing number of drug-related deaths. The vehicle, which was later upgraded to a former ambulance, was taken around Glasgow in a bid to provide a clean space and support for addicts. Mr Krykant, who was a recovering heroin addict and often spoke of his own battles with drugs, hoped the service would prevent overdoses and blood-borne viruses (BBV) among users. The activist, who ran as an independent candidate in the 2021 Holyrood election, always called for dignity for those seeking help. The Thistle - the UK's first safer drug consumption facility (SDCF) - opened in Glasgow in January. Police Scotland said Mr Krykant's body was found by officers on Monday at a property in Graham Avenue, Larbert, following a report of concern for a person. A force spokesperson added: "His next of kin has been informed. A post-mortem examination will be carried out in due course. The death is being treated as unexplained." First Minister John Swinney said he was "shocked and saddened" to learn of Mr Krykant's death. He added: "His powerful voice on drugs policy reform, in particular his tireless work to deliver safe consumption rooms, leaves an important legacy which will be remembered." 2:40 High-profile lawyer Aamer Anwar described Mr Krykant as "a one-man army, with a mission to save lives". Mr Anwar represented Mr Krykant when he was arrested in 2020 in connection with the mobile overdose prevention centre. Charges were later dropped. Mr Anwar said: "It was humbling to see him single-handedly fight to deliver the first safe consumption room for drugs in the UK. "Since childhood he was driven by demons, but Peter was also a beautiful, kind and courageous man. "He leaves behind his two boys whom he loved dearly and family and friends who will be utterly devastated. "I hope with time they can find some comfort in that Peter will be at peace and his name will one day be remembered as a drugs campaigner decades ahead of his time." Scottish Greens co-leader Patrick Harvie said his party was "deeply saddened" by the news. He added: "Peter was a tireless campaigner for a fairer, more compassionate approach to handling drug misuse and addiction, and his campaigning has left such an important legacy in the UK's first safe consumption room in Glasgow. "His advocacy for drug reform, and of course, his yellow van have no doubt saved countless lives in Scotland."
Sky News
12-06-2025
- Sky News
Peter Krykant: Tributes after death of 'beautiful, kind and courageous' drug policy campaigner
A leading drug policy reform campaigner who championed safe consumption rooms has died at the age of 48. Peter Krykant became a public figure in 2020 after setting up an unofficial facility in a minivan in response to Scotland's growing number of drug-related deaths. The vehicle, which was later upgraded to a former ambulance, was taken around Glasgow in a bid to provide a clean space and support for addicts. Mr Krykant, who was a recovering heroin addict and often spoke of his own battles with drugs, hoped the service would prevent overdoses and blood-borne viruses (BBV) among users. The activist, who ran as an independent candidate in the 2021 Holyrood election, always called for dignity for those seeking help. The Thistle - the UK's first safer drug consumption facility (SDCF) - opened in Glasgow in January. Police Scotland said Mr Krykant's body was found by officers on Monday at a property in Graham Avenue, Larbert, following a report of concern for a person. A force spokesperson added: "His next of kin has been informed. A post-mortem examination will be carried out in due course. The death is being treated as unexplained." First Minister John Swinney said he was "shocked and saddened" to learn of Mr Krykant's death. He added: "His powerful voice on drugs policy reform, in particular his tireless work to deliver safe consumption rooms, leaves an important legacy which will be remembered." 2:40 High-profile lawyer Aamer Anwar described Mr Krykant as "a one-man army, with a mission to save lives". Mr Anwar represented Mr Krykant when he was arrested in 2020 in connection with the mobile overdose prevention centre. Charges were later dropped. Mr Anwar said: "It was humbling to see him single-handedly fight to deliver the first safe consumption room for drugs in the UK. "Since childhood he was driven by demons, but Peter was also a beautiful, kind and courageous man. "He leaves behind his two boys whom he loved dearly and family and friends who will be utterly devastated. "I hope with time they can find some comfort in that Peter will be at peace and his name will one day be remembered as a drugs campaigner decades ahead of his time." Scottish Greens co-leader Patrick Harvie said his party was "deeply saddened" by the news. He added: "Peter was a tireless campaigner for a fairer, more compassionate approach to handling drug misuse and addiction, and his campaigning has left such an important legacy in the UK's first safe consumption room in Glasgow. "His advocacy for drug reform, and of course, his yellow van have no doubt saved countless lives in Scotland."
BBC News
11-06-2025
- BBC News
Drugs campaigner Peter Krykant dies, aged 48
A prominent Scottish drugs campaigner who set up a safe consumption bus has Krykant, a former heroin addict, became a public figure after he set up an unofficial supervised facility in a van which he took around often talked about his own battles with addiction, admitting he started taking drugs when he was just 11 and speaking out about a relapse in confirmed the 48-year-old's death was being treated as unexplained and a post-mortem examination will be carried out in due course. A Police Scotland Sotland spokesperson said: "Around 5.15pm on Monday, 9 June 2025, police attended an address in Graham Avenue, Larbert following a report of a concern for person."The body of a 48-year-old man was found within. His next of kin has been informed."Mr Krykant started taking drugs when he was 11 and began to inject heroin at the age of 17, but stopped using drugs for 11 went on to open a mobile unit in a converted van with the aim of preventing overdoses and the spread of blood-borne viruses among users in was arrested in 2020 after launching his "safe space" where users could take their own drugs under medical supervision. Charges against him were later this year The Thistle, the UK's first and only drug consumption room opened in the East End of Glasgow in an effort to reduce drug ran for election as an independent candidate in the 2021 Scottish Parliament election, campaigning on drug policy later said the "cut-throat" world of politics along with the pressure of running the consumption bus caused him to relapse into drug use.
