As S.F. pushes drug services, DOGE cuts harm reduction funding

Vanguard Lab, a San Francisco harm-reduction center, closed after losing a $250,000 federal grant due to cuts made by the Department of Government Efficiency. This abrupt funding loss affected several organizations, including the San Francisco AIDS Foundation and Compass Family Services, prompting service reductions and staff layoffs. Ivy Jeanne McClelland, a director at Vanguard, highlighted the importance of community spaces in fostering recovery and connection among individuals struggling with substance use. Dorothy Dean, a harm-reduction worker, shared that engaging drug users through creative workshops helped encourage them to seek medical help. The Sierra Health Foundation acknowledged the concerning nature of the funding cuts and is collaborating with state and local officials to address the financial shortfall.

These funding reductions occur as the new mayoral administration pushes to reduce drug use on the streets, raising questions about the future of harm-reduction services. The loss of these vital programs threatens to exacerbate existing challenges for vulnerable communities in San Francisco. Local advocates stress the urgent need for continued support to address substance use and homelessness effectively.