San Francisco Dems Finally Agree to ARREST Drug Users

San Francisco County Supervisor Matt Dorsey proposes a controversial plan to arrest drug users and enforce rehabilitation, sparking debate on public safety and addiction treatment approaches.

At a Glance

  • Supervisor Dorsey calls for “mass arrests, detox, and treatment” of open-air drug users
  • Plan aims to arrest 100 of estimated 200 nightly drug users in the 6th Street Corridor
  • Proposal follows new city-county policy banning cash welfare for addicts refusing treatment
  • Untreated drug addiction costs San Francisco over $1 billion annually
  • Critics argue the plan may harm marginalized communities and doesn’t address root causes

A Bold Approach to San Francisco’s Drug Crisis

San Francisco County Supervisor Matt Dorsey has proposed a controversial plan to address the city’s ongoing drug crisis. The Democratic supervisor, a former addict himself, is advocating for a strategy of “mass arrests, detox, and treatment” targeting open-air drug users, particularly in the 6th Street Corridor.

How amazing is it that in 2025, this is considered “controversial”?

It’s probably only because Trump is the one who said it needs to happen.

Dorsey’s proposal aims to arrest approximately 100 of the estimated 200 individuals engaged in public drug use nightly. This approach follows a recent city-county policy that denies cash welfare to addicts who refuse substance abuse treatment, signaling a shift towards more stringent measures in tackling the drug problem.

The Cost of Addiction and Proposed Solutions

The impact of untreated drug addiction on San Francisco is substantial, with annual costs estimated to exceed $1 billion. Dorsey’s plan seeks to address this issue by enforcing Proposition 36, which allows for Treatment-Mandated Felonies (TMFs) for repeated misdemeanor drug offenses.

“I am optimistic that more recently enacted laws like Californiaʼs SB 43 (used to compel individuals into drug treatment under certain circumstances) and Proposition 36 (which creates Treatment-Mandated Felonies, or TMFs, for repeated misdemeanor drug possession offenses) offer new hope for much-needed progress,” San Francisco County Supervisor Matt Dorsey said.

Dorsey, drawing from his personal experience as a former addict, emphasizes the transformative potential of court-mandated treatment and long-term recovery. He views arrests as “life-saving interventions” rather than punitive measures.

The proposal has faced criticism from various quarters. Dr. Tyler TerMeer of the San Francisco AIDS Foundation argues that the strategy fails to address the root causes of substance abuse and may harm marginalized communities.

“Decades of research have shown that criminalizing people for their health conditions or circumstances perpetuates harm rather than fostering recovery. Forced treatment under the threat of incarceration undermines trust in health services and disproportionately impacts marginalized communities. What San Francisco truly needs is increased investment in overdose prevention services, voluntary treatment programs, and supportive housing. These approaches save lives, reduce public health crises, and strengthen our city,” Dr. Tyler TerMeer said.

Critics also point out that the city lacks adequate treatment infrastructure to support such a large-scale intervention. Some city officials and advocacy groups warn that the plan could potentially lead to increased overdoses and further strain an already burdened system.

Imagine not wanting to…enforce the law. Dems have gone insane.