Open-air drug markets and fentanyl
Drugs and substance abuse rank as a high voter concern (72% extremely/very serious). Mayor Lurie prioritized a fentanyl emergency ordinance expanding flexibility on contracts and facilities, plus crackdowns on open-air dealing in the Tenderloin and SOMA alongside treatment expansion. Supervisors have questioned whether enforcement merely displaces markets and called for better citywide coordination and metrics. Mental health and addiction capacity, diversion versus enforcement remain flashpoints, with poll support for cameras and drones in hotspots.
What should San Francisco do about open-air drug markets and fentanyl use?
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Sources
Mission Local / Supervisors — https://missionlocal.org/2026/10/s-f-supervisors-press-city-on-drug-markets-are-the-crackdowns-working/
supervisors have held hearings questioning whether enforcement merely displaces markets between districts and calling for better citywide coordination, metrics, and plans.
GrowSF — https://growsf.org/pulse/
drugs & substance abuse (72%), and untreated mental health issues (71%). Concerns about crime have eased significantly as rates have fallen
Positions on this issue · liberal → conservative
- Emphasize harm reduction, expanded treatment on demand, and decriminalized possession only
- Pair more treatment beds and diversion with limited, targeted enforcement of dealing
- Combine enforcement crackdowns with simultaneous treatment expansion and better metrics
- Intensify open-air market crackdowns, cameras, and emergency powers while adding treatment
- Prioritize aggressive policing and prosecution of dealers over expanded voluntary services