On February 12, 2025, Mayor Daniel Lurie of San Francisco signed the “Fentanyl State of Emergency Ordinance”, making it into law. The ordinance was overwhelmingly passed by the city council with a vote of 10 to 1 on the 11th. Mayor Lurie officially signed the ordinance in the presence of city council members, representatives from the recovery community, public safety advocates, and union leaders on the afternoon of the 12th.
This ordinance, the first legislative action taken by Mayor Lurie since assuming office, aims to expedite the mobilization of funds and resources, streamline administrative processes, expand shelters and mental health services to eradicate street drugs and protect public safety.
The specifics of the ordinance include releasing funds, accelerating recruitment and contract signings, expanding treatment and shelter capacities, launching new behavioral and mental health programs, and expediting the recruitment of public safety and mental health officers.
Mayor Lurie expressed his pride in fulfilling his campaign promise to treat the fentanyl crisis as an emergency. He stated, “The ‘Fentanyl State of Emergency Ordinance’ will provide us with the necessary tools to address this crisis with a sense of urgency.”
The ordinance was collectively proposed by City Council President Rafael Mandelman and five council members – Matt Dorsey, Joel Engardio, Stephen Sherrill, Bilal Mahmood, and Danny Sauter. Mandelman believes that the ordinance will streamline the city’s response to the street crisis while retaining oversight by the city council. He looks forward to collaborating with the mayor and his team to advance more policies that promote the recovery of San Francisco and return public spaces to all citizens.
Councilmember Matt Dorsey commented, “The issues currently facing San Francisco are almost all related to street drugs or exacerbated by them.” He believes that the ordinance “can mobilize significant resources to address this crisis, restore street order, reduce San Francisco’s status as a hub for drug use and trafficking, and save more lives.”
Dr. Naveena Bobba, Deputy Director of the San Francisco Department of Public Health, emphasized plans to add 135 behavioral health treatment beds this year. The ordinance will expedite contract processes, enabling them to provide more resources to treat patients.
During the initial and final votes, Councilmember Shamann Walton cast the sole opposing vote, arguing that emergency measures like this cannot fundamentally solve problems and incur significant costs.
In recent years, the drug crisis triggered by fentanyl has seriously jeopardized public safety and street hygiene in San Francisco. Official data shows that in 2023, the number of drug overdose deaths in San Francisco exceeded 800, setting a record high, with most cases related to fentanyl.
When asked what would constitute success for the ordinance, Mayor Lurie responded, “When I drive through Sixth Street, I dare not let my children get out of the car and walk alone on the street. For me, ‘success’ means that one day, any one of us can walk on these streets with our children and feel safe.”
Mayor Lurie revealed that the ordinance will be implemented on a trial basis for one year. Currently, the city is operating a Triage Center on Sixth Street, combining social services, public health, and public safety departments to assist the homeless in obtaining shelter, participating in the “Journey Home” program, or receiving other treatment. The city will collect data through this pilot center and adjust strategies accordingly.
“We will not be satisfied with improving one street only to move the problem to the next street. This is not a temporary cleanup for the NBA All-Star Game or the Super Bowl. We are cleaning this city for the citizens, for our children, 365 days a year,” Mayor Lurie stated.
Under the authorization of the “Fentanyl State of Emergency Ordinance,” the city government is empowered to increase treatment beds, recruit public safety and medical officers, and address the current crisis through private fundraising.
Mayor Lurie pledged on the spot, “All donations will be completely transparent, with no hidden donors unknown to the public.”
After Mayor Lurie signed the ordinance, most of its provisions will take effect within 30 days, while the fundraising provisions for specific personnel in the mayor’s office will take immediate effect.