[Lauren]
SAN FRANCISCO HAS A NEW INITIATIVE TO TRY TO COMBAT THE CITY’S DRUG EPIDEMIC.
OFFICIALS ARE NOW PREPARING TO PAY PEOPLE 100 DOLLARS FOR EVERY WEEK THEY STAY SOBER.
MAYOR LONDON BREED INTRODUCED THE “CASH NOT DRUGS” BILL IN JULY AND IT PASSED THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS TUESDAY.
THE GOAL IS TO GIVE THE 100 DOLLARS TO THOSE WHO ARE ON WELFARE – AFTER THEY PASS THEIR DRUG TEST.
BREED SAYS THIS IS ALL ABOUT HAVING A BROAD AND DIVERSE APPROACH TO GET PEOPLE INTO TREATMENT AND CARE.
whatever it takes to get people on the right path that’s what we need to do … what it takes is support.. What it takes is money what it takes is housing.. What it takes is opportunity and a second chance where you are not judged what happened in the past.
CRITICS OF THE PLAN SAY THEY DON’T THINK THE MONEY WILL OVERRIDE THE HOLD ADDICTION HAS ON PEOPLE.
THE PAYMENT WILL BE IN THE FORM OF A GIFT CARD OR ELECTRONIC BENEFIT TRANSFER … SIMILAR TO A DEBIT CARD USED BY OTHER GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS.
ONCE THE BILL TAKES EFFECT, CITY OFFICIALS WILL HAVE SIX MONTHS TO SET UP AND START THE PROGRAM.
MORE THAN 500 PEOPLE HAVE DIED FROM ACCIDENTAL OVERDOSES IN SAN FRANCISCO THIS YEAR.
FOR SAN I’M … LAUREN TAYLOR.
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