In this episode of the Altered Attitudes podcast, Lester Morse from Rehabs UK shares his opinions on the government's move to open illegal drug consumption rooms in Scotland. This controversial initiative serves as a significant example of the harm minimization philosophy and raises questions about the effectiveness of funding a consumption room. With an increasing allocation of funds toward harm minimization, there is a corresponding reduction in support for abstinence-based recovery.

Abstinence-based recovery was primarily funded through rehab placements, but budget cuts have resulted in a 50% reduction in the number of rehabs in the UK over the past seven years. Without adequate support, recovery communities are at risk of declining, which, in turn, leads to fewer individuals pursuing abstinence-based recovery.