Civic

San Francisco is not alone in experiencing an alarming rise in overdose deaths. A lot of them are due to fentanyl, an extremely powerful synthetic opioid. But many fatal overdoses are the result of multiple substances. In this episode, the second in a two-part series examining the factors contributing to increases in drug overdoses in San Francisco, we talk to experts and community advocates about what measures have been taken to address this health crisis, how people who use drugs are reversing overdoses themselves, other harm reduction efforts, what treatment and recovery can mean and how activists, volunteers and the city are trying to help people find their way there.

First, what’s new? A proposed ordinance would require the city to provide a safe place to sleep for every unhoused person. Supervisors decide to put a new Amazon warehouse on hold. Supervisor Preston wants a hearing on police propaganda, aka copaganda. San Francisco’s outmigration is the second largest in the country. What’s next? The Van Ness Bus Rapid Transit finally starts rolling. And the planning commission gets busy with hearings on the proposed Lake Merced recreational park, the massive San Francisco Gateway industrial project in Bayview Hunters Point, a new outer Mission residential complex, and more.

San Francisco saw more people die from drug overdoses than from COVID-19 over the last two years. We take a deep dive into the complex factors contributing to the crisis and possible ways to mitigate the problem in this first of a two part series.

First, what’s new? Former Supervisor Jane Kim is being investigated for ethics violations after failing to register as a lobbyist while on the payroll of a man campaigning to block a new apartment complex. Teachers hold a sit-in to force an agreement on proper payment procedures. A new poll shows DA Chesa Boudin may be on thin ice over his recall campaign. What’s next? Supervisors consider a new law to regulate how police store victim DNA. The public gets to weigh in on progress over San Francisco Department police reform. City and county union workers will march to demand increased staffing.

First, what’s new? Three new school board members were sworn in by the Mayor London Breed after three elected members were recalled. Vaccine mandates are lifted for most indoor public settings. The District Attorney will not re-file a case against a police officer charged with excessive use of force. after a jury acquitted him. Mayor Breed said the police department is making progress on reform, but needs to hire more officers. What’s next? The Board of Supervisors will vote on a measure pushing back on a state law that makes it cheaper to build housing. The supervisors will vote on the rules for restaurants who want to make their pandemic parklets permanent and they’ll take up Mayor Breed’s plans to crack down on rampant drug dealing and use in the Tenderloin.

The last remaining tenant protections against eviction for pandemic-related rent debt that were granted by the state are expiring at the end of the month. They were based on tenants having applied to the state’s rent relief program, which according to a new study is slow to make decisions. The report indicates applicants are waiting months for the state program to make decisions on their cases, and that the majority of applicants have not received any payment. Still, the state should have enough funds to be able to pay every eligible applicant, even those who apply in the last weeks before the program closes.

In What's New & What's Next, the Civic team offers a roundup of San Francisco news and a look at what's ahead on the city's calendar. The news: Mayor withdraws request for more police funding; Mayor withdraws surveillance ballot measure, and a supervisor removes his competing proposal; voters to consider reassigning responsibility for garbage rate hike proposals; Coming up: 100 households to receive estate planning assistance; committee hearing on Amazon center; supervisors to weigh “monster homes” legislation; school board to discuss implementation of zone-based school assignment.

Americans, Ukrainians, and Russians gathered in San Francisco to protest the Kremlin’s invasion of Ukraine. San Francisco Police promise they will no longer use DNA collected from rape kits to match suspects to crimes. Mayor Breed’s office said they will go forward with plans to arrest some drug users who refuse to engage with support services. Later this week the Board of Supervisors will consider new rules compelling employers to provide their employees more flexibility and predictability to give caregivers more regular schedules. The school board will vote on a plan to lay off dozens of educators, classroom staff, and administrators to close a $125 million budget shortfall.