California bill sparks debate over drug-free supportive housing and harm reduction in SF

San Francisco faces a critical rise in overdose deaths, leading to a conflict between harm reduction strategies and the need for sobriety-based supportive housing. Claudia Gonzales, a former meth and alcohol user, credits the Salvation Army’s Joseph McFee Center for her recovery, highlighting its comprehensive support structure. The program boasts a 100% success rate, with all graduates sober, employed, and housed a year after completion in 2023-24. Recovery advocate Tom Wolf stresses the importance of drug-free environments for maintaining sobriety, challenging the city's current harm reduction approach. Legal barriers, including California's "Housing First" law, hinder the creation of sober housing by preventing evictions solely for substance use.

The San Francisco Department of Homelessness acknowledges the need for more sober options, aiming to better address homelessness. Mayor Daniel Lurie recently shifted city policies to require treatment agreements for users to receive drug paraphernalia, marking a significant policy change. This ongoing debate reflects broader societal tensions regarding drug use and public safety in urban areas.