The First Minister will meet with a Glasgow activist paving the way for safe drug consumption rooms following the shock drug death figures.

Nicola Sturgeon will hold talks with Peter Krykant on January 7, according to the Sunday Mail.

She will discuss possibilities for opening an Overdose Prevention Centre (OPC) in Scotland, just five days before chairing a meeting of the Scottish Drug Deaths Taskforce.

Earlier this week, Ms Sturgeon labelled the latest drug death figures "indefensible". 

The figures showed 1264 people had died in Scotland form a drug-related death in 2019, up 6% from 1187 the year before.

READ MORE: Drugs deaths: Joe Fitzpatrick sacked as Public Health Minister

There were 279 deaths in Glasgow, similar to the record 280 the year before.

Public Health Minister Joe FitzPatrick was removed from his role. 

Angela Constance, a former Education Secretary, will take on the job of Drug Policy Minister.

It is understood Nicola Sturgeon agreed to the meeting on the same day Mr FitzPatrick left his role. 

FitzPatrick refused to visit Krykant's safe injection van which opened earlier this year.

Mr Krykant told the Sunday Mail: "Scotland’s drug deaths are devastating – each life lost is someone’s someone.

"What we can all agree, whatever our political stance, is that this must change."

READ MORE: 'Indefensible:' Nicola Sturgeon on drug deaths record

The overdose prevention site supervised 118 injections and saved two lives. 

He added: "We could save so many more.

“Of course, saving lives is the beginning. We need to offer support and care to those often forgotten about, often using drugs to escape lives filled with trauma.

"I’m hopeful now more than ever as Nicola Sturgeon has stepped up and appointed a dedicated drugs minister.

“With a 100 per cent focus on drug policy, we can quickly change the trajectory of these tragic, preventable deaths.

“My heart is hopeful that, with cross-party conversations, organisational work and some specific action taken, 2021 can be different. With 2020 almost gone, those involved in the drug dependency field know it’s been another bad year.”

He said: “Nicola Sturgeon taking personal charge of Scotland’s approach to drugs is hugely significant."

The Scottish Government said: “We can’t say anything specific on the meeting at the moment.”