Peter Krykant

We share our deepest condolences with the friends, family, and community of Peter Krykant, a trailblazing harm reduction advocate who sadly passed away last week. Peter’s fearless dedication to saving lives in the face of legal and political opposition has left an indelible mark on Scotland—and on the fight for compassionate drug policy across the UK.

A Man Who Stood Where Others Would Not

Peter Krykant’s legacy is defined by bravery. At a time when Scotland was—and still is—grappling with the highest drug-related death rate in Europe, Peter took matters into his own hands. In 2020, he launched Glasgow’s first mobile overdose prevention service from a converted minibus, later upgrading to an ambulance. This bold initiative provided people who use drugs with a safer space to inject under supervision, using sterile equipment, drastically reducing the risk of fatal overdoses and the spread of infections like HIV and hepatitis.

What made Peter’s work extraordinary was not just its impact, but the personal risk he undertook. Peter knew his actions could lead to arrest. Yet, he refused to stand by while lives were lost to preventable deaths. His defiance was not an act of rebellion for its own sake, but a moral stand—one that forced policymakers and the public to confront the urgent need for harm reduction services.

We had the privilege of interviewing Peter about his work in 2020, you can listen to that recording below.

A Vital Voice in the Fight for Change

Beyond his frontline work, Peter was a respected and influential member of Drug Science’s Enhanced Harm Reduction Working Group, where he brought something invaluable to the table: lived experience. In a space often dominated by academics and policymakers, Peter’s firsthand understanding of addiction and homelessness lent authenticity and urgency to discussions.

His contributions helped shape advocacy efforts, ensuring that the voices of those most affected by punitive drug laws were heard. Peter’s perspective was instrumental in pushing for progressive reforms, including the recent opening of Glasgow’s first official drug consumption room—a milestone that, while overdue, stands as a testament to the groundwork he laid.

Peter’s Legacy Must Drive Change

Safe consumption spaces should not exist only where brave individuals are willing to break the law—they should be accessible, legally sanctioned, and widespread. Every preventable death is a policy failure, and Peter’s work proved that harm reduction saves lives.

To UK policymakers, we say this: Listen to Peter’s story. Approach drug use with empathy, not judgment. Expand life-saving services so that no more families mourn loved ones lost to overdose. Honour Peter Krykant’s courage by making his mission—a world where drug policy prioritises health over punishment—a reality.

Rest in power, Peter. Your fight continues in all of us.