Official policy announcements or city government reports

San Francisco Supervisor Proposes 100 Nightly Arrests and Mandatory Detox for Drug Users

Jan 4, 2025, 02:13 AM

San Francisco Supervisor Matt Dorsey has proposed a controversial plan to address the city's escalating drug crisis, particularly in the South of Market neighborhood, where an estimated 200 people use drugs nightly. The plan includes making 100 arrests nightly for public drug use, with the aim of compelling individuals into mandatory detox and treatment programs. Dorsey, a former addict, argues that the city's longstanding harm reduction approach is insufficient for addressing the current fentanyl crisis, which he describes as deadlier than previous drug epidemics. The proposal has drawn criticism from organizations like the San Francisco AIDS Foundation, which argues that forced treatment under threat of incarceration could perpetuate harm and disproportionately affect marginalized communities. The plan also directs five city agencies, including the San Francisco Police Department and Department of Public Health, to devise a detailed enforcement strategy within 30 days. Critics have likened the plan to Project 2025, highlighting concerns over its regressive nature. The initiative has sparked a broader debate about the balance between public safety and compassionate approaches to addiction, with critics calling for increased investment in voluntary treatment programs and supportive housing.