San Francisco Funds Vodka Shots for Homeless Alcoholics

The City of San Francisco's Department of Public Health is administering a Managed Alcohol Program that supplies controlled amounts of beer and vodka shots to homeless individuals struggling with alcohol addiction. The initiative, which was initiated during the COVID-19 pandemic, aims to reduce harm and manage addiction in a regulated environment. It has grown to a 20-bed program housed in a former hotel in the Tenderloin District, now operating with a $5 million annual budget.

Participants in the program receive tailored doses of alcohol several times a day, along with medication and therapy to decrease cravings, as well as other health services including primary care, psychiatric care, and wellness activities. The approach is designed to keep participants off the streets, reduce the burden on emergency services, and improve their overall health outcomes. Public health officials argue that the program has saved money by cutting down on hospital visits and police calls.

However, the program has faced criticism from various quarters. Some critics argue that it enables addiction rather than promoting recovery, while others believe that taxpayer money could be better spent on treatment and sobriety programs. There is also skepticism about the program's effectiveness in reducing harm and whether it offers clear goals for participants to eventually become sober. Despite these concerns, health officials point to studies, such as those on Canada's managed alcohol programs, which suggest that participants face a reduced risk of death and have fewer hospital stays, supporting the argument that such programs can save lives and extend lifespans for homeless individuals with severe alcoholism.