District 6 Supervisor Matt Dorsey's 'recovery first' ordinance has moved to the full Board of Supervisors after a unanimous committee vote. However, it was significantly amended from its original 'abstinence-first' goal to one focused on 'long-term remission,' following pushback from harm reduction advocates. These advocates criticized the initial narrow definition of recovery. The ordinance aims to bridge the divide between harm reduction and abstinence policies in San Francisco's ongoing debate over drug overdoses, though ultimately, it remains a symbolic measure and lacks immediate impact.
The ordinance, which is an aspirational policy outlining the city's approach to drug addiction recovery with no real teeth, was amended to cross out its original goal.
Adam Francis, the association's senior advocacy and policy director, said the changes ensure that 'there isn't a fight between harm reduction and abstinence.'
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