The system of injecting rooms was studied

The idea, floated at a drugs conference in Stirling, was ruled out by Deputy Justice Minister Hugh Henry.

It was suggested drug treatment could follow the lead of the Netherlands by opening injecting rooms.

The so-called "shooting galleries" allow users to take illegal hard drugs without fear of arrest.

Delegates from the Scottish Drugs Forum, gathering in Stirling, have been examining how these work in Holland and Germany.

'Not convinced'

The organisation found the system can cut the number of deaths from drug overdose.

But the minister raised doubts over the effectiveness of the system.

"Drugs misuse is a blight on too many communities across Scotland and it is vital that we follow approaches that can be seen to work," said Mr Henry.

"There is not yet convincing national or international research evidence that injecting rooms make a difference."

He said the executive's policy, which concentrated on treatment and rehabilitation for drug users, was based on "best practice".

According to the Forum, injecting rooms can also reduce the infections drugs users pick up.

People should not condemn injecting rooms without having seen them in practice Dave Liddell, Forum director

It claims the rooms can be used to persuade addicts to use health services and cut crime by moving users to methadone programmes.

Forum director Dave Liddell said: "People should not condemn injecting rooms without having seen them in practice.

"We will be looking at what services are currently on offer and hearing from two speakers who have experience with injecting rooms. This is an area which needs to be considered."

He points to the example of Frankfurt, where fatal overdoses have been reduced from 140 a year to 40.

John de Boer, who works with De Grift drugs agency in Arnhem, Holland, one of the first cities to have the rooms in place, was addressing the conference.

'Many deaths'

Mr de Boer, speaking to BBC Scotland, said: "You have much harm and many deaths. You can help them to slow down and look for alternatives.

"Harm reduction is one of the most important aspects of drug user rooms."

In May last year, a Commons select committee recommended that injecting rooms be set up as a pilot programme to get heroin users off the streets.

However, opponents of the scheme believe other services, including more rehabilitation centres, should take priority as injecting rooms may be a target for drug dealers.

Scottish Drugs Forum is an independent group funded by the Scottish Executive.