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San Francisco is handling its coronavirus outbreak by giving out free drugs and alcohol to homeless people isolating in city hotels.
The city’s department of public health confirmed on Wednesday that alcohol, tobacco, medical cannabis and other substances are being delivered free of charge to homeless addicts who are doing San Francisco a “great service” by staying sheltered amid the pandemic.
(Source: KTVU)
While California’s Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom has shut down businesses and beaches, threatened residents with fines for violating coronavirus guidelines, the homeless are being temporarily housed in hotels and being supplied with addictive substances.
“They’re doing San Francisco a great service by staying inside,” Jenna Lane, spokeswoman for the city’s Department of Health told the San Francisco Chronicle. “We’re saying, ‘we’re doing what we can to support you staying inside and not have to go out and get these things.’ ”
The San Francisco Department of Health responded to a tweet Tuesday confirming a report brought up by a “formerly homeless addict” about the city’s efforts.
“I just found out that homeless placed in hotels in SF are being delivered Alcohol, Weed and Methadone because they identified as an addict/alcoholic for FREE. You’re supposed to be offering treatment,” a Twitter user identified as “T Wolf” tweeted last week.
“This is enabling and is wrong on many levels,” the Twitter user added, tagging the Health Department and San Francisco Mayor London Breed.
“T Wolf” described himself on Twitter as “Formerly homeless addict in #recovery advocating for the #truth about homelessness and drug addiction. Faith, Hope and Love. SF Native. Tweets are my own.”
I just found out that homeless placed in hotels in SF are being delivered Alcohol, Weed and Methadone because they identified as an addict/alcoholic for FREE. You’re supposed to be offering treatment. This is enabling and is wrong on many levels. @SF_DPH @sfbos @LondonBreed
— T Wolf (@MyTwolffamily) May 2, 2020
The city’s Department of Health soon confirmed that the drugs and alcohol were being given to the homeless people staying in the hotels though it claimed that taxpayer money is not being used.
“These harm reduction based practices, which are not unique to San Francisco, and are not paid for with taxpayer money, help guests successfully complete isolation and quarantine and have significant individual and public health benefits in the COVID-19 pandemic,” the tweet read.
These harm reduction based practices, which are not unique to San Francisco, and are not paid for with taxpayer money, help guests successfully complete isolation and quarantine and have significant individual and public health benefits in the COVID-19 pandemic.
— SFDPH (@SF_DPH) May 5, 2020
Homeless people who have either tested positive for the coronavirus or are at high risk for infection are now being housed in hotels in an effort to quarantine or socially distance themselves during the pandemic. Last month, Newsom announced his “Project Roomkey” initiative which has the federal government paying 75 percent of the costs for housing the homeless during the coronavirus crisis.
San Francisco’s Department of Public Health addressed the distribution of the alcohol and other substances during a press conference on Wednesday.
“With regard to supporting people who are at risk, or who need to be in quarantine or isolation because they’re COVID positive, our focus needs to be on supporting them,” the city’s Health Director, Dr. Grant Colfax, said. “Meeting them where they are so that they can be cared for in the most appropriate way. In the way that’s good for them and for our community.”
“Our philosophy in terms of treating those who suffer from addiction, substance use disorders is really again focused on science and the medical literature,” he said. “In some cases, this will include helping them manage their alcohol and nicotine use so they can stay safe and in-place as much as possible to help their communities and help themselves.”
There was no clarification about who is actually paying for the alcohol and drugs, as the department noted it did not require taxpayer funding. But the confirmation that San Francisco is supplying homeless addicts with the substances triggered a heated debate on social media.
This is insane!!!
— Whale Saver (@delze657) May 7, 2020
If it’s not taxpayer money who is funding this
— Mario Enrique (@JUDAS2425) May 6, 2020
Giving people illegal drugs is harm reduction???? The state is now a drug dealer?
— Gervais (@GrayRock4Triad) May 7, 2020
Why aren’t these non-profits offering the guests treatment instead of maintaining addiction? Some taxpayers are getting arrested for violating these stay at home orders but these get free housing and drug of choice delivered free?
— christy brown (@mystocean) May 7, 2020
This is why there is no trust in any of the Dept of Health people…anywhere. They are all the same, double-standards and excuses for their own failed policies and PREDICTIONS
— Richard Carpenter (@rich45240) May 7, 2020
Thank you. Can you please share any evidence that free weed and narcotics create significant individual and public health benefits?
— Nick (@aKnickb) May 6, 2020
@FBISanFrancisco @fema San Francisco has not disclosed proof of where the drug funds are coming from, but they are definitely being delivered to hotel rooms that SF plans to charge to the federal govt.
— living in groundhog day (@iripix) May 7, 2020
What a crock. The virus hasn’t devastated the homeless community as progressives predicted. Drug abuse has. Stop enabling.
— Keith p (@Squalle01) May 6, 2020
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