Day 143 at the 16th St. Plaza Rose

Rose, 27, frequently visits the 16th and Mission streets in San Francisco, a location rife with both resources and challenges. She expressed her desire to try Suboxone for opioid addiction but faced a setback when her backpack, containing her prescription, was stolen. The area serves as a gathering place for food vendors, drug users, and community members, illustrating the complex social dynamics at play. By early evening, the east side of Mission Street fills with unpermitted vendors and open drug use, underscoring ongoing urban issues. Rose noted the importance of accessing available resources, stating, “you just got to try and you are stupid not to grab them.

” The presence of care teams offering prescription support indicates efforts to address addiction in the community. This ongoing situation highlights the broader challenges cities face regarding homelessness and substance abuse. Local authorities may need to implement more structured support systems to effectively address these issues.