The Problem
When the 2023 city budget process began, it wasn’t clear whether San Francisco would prioritize what mattered most—investing in public safety and addiction recovery. The fentanyl crisis was escalating, yet City Hall risked spreading limited funds across too many programs without clear accountability or measurable outcomes.
What We Did About It
Our predecessor organization, TogetherSF Action, helped organize a citywide effort calling for targeted investments in recovery and safety. Over 3,200 residents sent more than 57,000 emails to the Mayor and Board of Supervisors, urging them to fund treatment capacity, improve enforcement, and expand neighborhood safety programs.
What Happened
The advocacy paid off. The final budget included:
- Increased pay for treatment providers and expansion of sober housing.
- Extended intake center hours and additional step-down beds on Treasure Island.
- New funding for drug market enforcement and narcotics equipment.
- Support for 220 new police officers, Urban Alchemy ambassadors, and Street Response Teams.
These wins represented a shift toward a more balanced approach—treating addiction as both a public health and public safety priority.
