New Sobering Center for Drug Arrests

The Facts

A new "drug sobering center" is opening on 6th Street early next year to provide an alternative to jail for people arrested for public drug use. The Sheriff's Office will operate the facility, where up to 25 people can be held while sobering up alongside addiction specialists who can connect them with methadone, buprenorphine, residential treatment, or shelter placement.

The center is a "fundamental change" in San Francisco's approach to street drug use, according to Maggie Angst at The Chronicle.

The Context

San Francisco currently rarely arrests people solely for public intoxication despite the persistent fentanyl crisis. Officers cite the time-consuming jail booking processes as reasons for them not doing their jobs.

The new center complements the existing crisis stabilization center at 822 Geary St, which opened in April and provides voluntary treatment. In its first five months, that facility served 344 people, with 25% discharged to residential treatment, according to the Chronicle.

Supervisor Matt Dorsey supports the Sixth Street location, arguing it will address root causes of neighborhood concerns about drug activity.

The GrowSF Take

This is a sensible alternative to taking users to jail or to the hospital -- both expensive and time-consuming options. Officers will be able to drop people off and continue on their patrols after a quick intake process, rather than going through the lengthy booking process at county jail or the emergency room. Detainees will not be booked or charged but must remain until deemed sober and able to care for themselves; if they leave early then they may face charges.

This matches what voters tell us they want. In our September 2023 poll, we found that 64% of San Franciscans support bringing intoxicated people to a sobering center instead of jail or the hospital, with only 19% preferring jail.