Dueling events on Mission District drug-use devolve into chaos

Tensions escalated at Manny’s Cafe in the Mission District on Tuesday during competing events focused on drug use. Approximately 40 residents gathered to voice concerns, with many advocating for tough love and law enforcement intervention. Andrew Wickens questioned how many drug users the community could support, while former supervisor Bill Maher insisted that arrests were necessary to address the problem. In contrast, Kevin Ortiz from the San Francisco Latinx Democratic Club labeled the event a propaganda rally, igniting further conflict. The shouting matches highlighted the divide between the abstinence-focused approach and the harm reduction community.

Attendees expressed frustration over the visibility of drug use in their neighborhood, with some suggesting that users be moved rather than jailed. This ongoing debate is part of a larger clash among San Francisco Democrats about effective drug policy. The situation has intensified as residents demand action against drug activity on their streets.