San Francisco needs drug enforcement zones, supervisor says

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. (KRON) — San Francisco Supervisor Matt Dorsey is urging the town to ascertain drug enforcement precedence zones round amenities serving individuals looking for restoration from substance or alcohol use problems.

Dorsey despatched laws to Metropolis Legal professional David Chiu on Tuesday calling for the zones.

Dorsey stated his “Proper to Restoration” plan’s zones could be designated as prioritized areas for San Francisco Police Division officers to arrest medication sellers and confiscate unlawful medication getting used publicly.

“That is about higher defending those that take the courageous first step of looking for restoration from habit or alcoholism from the damaging influences of open-air drug scenes and predatory drug sellers,” Dorsey stated. “It’s additionally about extending hurt discount to our neighborhoods.”

“After many conversations with neighborhood residents, I’m satisfied that is one of the best ways for us to incentivize public assist for extra therapy amenities, sober residing environments, and supervised consumption websites, which I imagine are important if San Francisco is to show the tide on our ongoing disaster of drug overdose fatalities,” Dorsey stated.

San Francisco Probation Division Chief Cristel Tullock stated, “The ‘Proper to Restoration’ initiative will make sure that people who find themselves striving to reside a drug-free life may have a secure area to get well and a non-triggering atmosphere to rebuild their life.”

Below the laws, relevant properties would come with non-public or public residential and outpatient therapy amenities, sober residing environments (SLE’s), and harm-reduction fashions comparable to supervised consumption amenities.

Dorsey’s “Proper to Restoration” laws goals to crackdown on drug sellers who exploit weak individuals battling substance and alcohol use dysfunction.

Dorsey’s letter to the town lawyer stated he hopes the zones will each encourage and assist individuals looking for restoration providers.

Tenderloin and SoMa residents stated they’re involved about rampant drug dealing occurring of their neighborhoods with none motion from police.

A median of 1-2 individuals die from drug overdoses — primarily fentanyl — in San Francisco on daily basis.

In the beginning of 2022, the town created the Tenderloin Heart at 1172 Market Road with the objective of linking individuals affected by habit with restoration providers.

The San Francisco Division of Public Well being informed KRON4 that drug use is allowed inside the middle.

Michael Shellenberger, creator of the guide “San Fransicko,” stated, “The entire space has been destroyed. There are armed drug sellers unfold all through this neighborhood. They use machetes and stab addicts for lack of cost. Girls are sexually assaulted,” Shellenberger stated.

“They stated they might get addicts away from the drug scene in a managed atmosphere. However the drug scene is bigger than it’s ever been. San Francisco is normalizing exhausting drug use and drug dealing,” Shellenberger stated.

In line with the town’s knowledge, almost 50,000 visitors utilized the middle between January and Could. Solely a tiny sliver of visitors — 38 — had been positioned in a rehabilitation program, in accordance with metropolis knowledge.

“A main objective of the Tenderloin Emergency Initiative is to cut back deadly overdoses. We’re dedicated to making a secure and welcoming area for each individuals who use medication and individuals who don’t use medication. As a result of we serve many individuals who use medication, the positioning design, staffing, and set-up enable visitors to be noticed for security always whereas respecting visitor privateness,” SFDPH wrote.