‘It requires a North Star’: advocates say ‘Recovery First’ ordinance combats SF’s unhoused crisis

SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) — Mayor Daniel Lurie said San Francisco has marked a “major step forward in the belief that recovery is possible,” after he signed new “Recovery First” legislation on Friday.

The bill — sponsored by District 6 Supervisor Matt Dorsey — aims to tackle the city’s long-standing behavioral health and unhoused crisis.

“Since day one, our administration has been working to reshape how the city addresses homelessness, mental health, and addiction,” said Mayor Lurie in a news release. “This ordinance reflects what we would want for our loved ones, if they were, or if they are, struggling.”

“By enacting ‘Recovery First’ into law, San Francisco is finally aligning our drug policy goal with what any of us would wish for a loved one struggling with addiction — a self-directed and healthy life, free from illicit drug use,” added Supervisor Dorsey, who has long been outspoken about his own personal drug addiction and recovery.

Local advocates are applauding the progress at change.

“San Francisco’s overdose death rates, especially among the city’s Black residents, have reached devastating levels,” said the Foundation for Drug Policy Solutions in a statement to KRON4. “This is a crisis that demands more than temporary fixes. It requires a North Star.”

“By prioritizing long-term recovery — free of illicit drugs — expanding access to treatment, and creating real pathways to sobriety and independence, we can offer people more than survival, we can help them rebuild their lives,” said Steve Adami, Executive Director of the Way Out.

The ordinance follows other recent action under the $37.5 million-funded Breaking the Cycle plan from Mayor Lurie to tackle issues impacting the city, including the Fentanyl State of Emergency Ordinance.