Voters have handed a controversial San Francisco poll measure requiring drug exams for many welfare recipients, an indication of a rightward political shift within the traditionally progressive metropolis.
As of Wednesday, Proposition F, backed by Mayor London Breed, had about 63% help. The measure will require folks receiving month-to-month funds from the town’s money help program for the poor to endure drug testing if they’re “moderately believed to be depending on unlawful medicine.”
In the event that they then refuse to conform or settle for remedy for drug use, they are going to be deemed ineligible for the advantages.
Individuals with younger youngsters and or who’re over 65 years outdated are exempt.
“We would like folks to hunt remedy and many individuals do, however the actuality is others are usually not prepared or ready to take action,” Breed, who’s up for reelection in November, stated in a press release. “Prop F will assist get folks into care. We’re additionally sending a message that we’re a metropolis that gives assist however not a metropolis the place you’ll be able to simply come and do no matter you need on our streets.”
Greater than 5,700 San Franciscans at the moment obtain advantages, which could be as a lot as $712 a month in a notoriously costly metropolis.
Town’s Human Providers Company will likely be tasked with implementing the drug testing coverage within the coming months.
Prop F had robust opposition from well being care suppliers, together with from Well being Proper 360, a San Francisco-based drug remedy heart that gives companies in practically a dozen California counties, and the San Francisco AIDS Basis.
“I’ve seen habit and overdose worsen when folks lose help methods, and that’s what Proposition F threatens to do,” Dr. Marlene Martin, director of the Dependancy Care Crew on the College of California, San Francisco, stated at a press convention final month.
“Prop F solely layers on punishment, disgrace and social isolation whereas stripping folks of assets to outlive,” Gary McCoy, vice chairman of coverage and public affairs for Well being Proper 360, stated at that very same press convention.
The San Francisco Democratic Celebration additionally got here out against the measure.
San Francisco is within the midst of a serious drug epidemic, with artificial opioids like fentanyl flooding the streets. Final 12 months was the town’s deadliest 12 months on document for drug overdoses, based on a tracker by The San Francisco Chronicle.
It wasn’t the one conservative-leaning measure San Francisco voters backed on Tuesday. Prop E ― a measure authorizing police use of drones and surveillance cameras, limiting reporting necessities for use-of-force incidents and increasing when police might pursue suspects in automobiles ― additionally passed. It too was backed by Breed.
Need assistance with substance use dysfunction or psychological well being points? Within the U.S., name 800-662-HELP (4357) for the SAMHSA National Helpline.
