San Francisco has a new initiative to try to combat the city’s drug epidemic. Officials are preparing to pay people $100 for every week they stay sober.
Mayor London Breed introduced the “Cash Not Drugs” bill in July 2024 and it passed the Board of Supervisors Tuesday, Oct. 30.
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The goal is to give the $100 to those who are on welfare after they pass their drug test.
Breed said 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,” Breed said in July.
Critics of the plan said 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, which is 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 overdose in San Francisco this year.
