San Francisco has been getting tougher with open-air drug use and, in July, enforcement will intensify.
Although police initially focused on dealers, users are now finding themselves in custody. Critics have blasted the use of law enforcement, saying it's the wrong approach to deal with addiction and could even increase overdose deaths.
"Went to the dope dealer," Rob, as he asked to be identified, said of his arrest."Got some dope for the morning time. Jones and Ellis . I just loaded up my foil and then I took one hit and then I loaded it up again and then I saw a shadow behind me and I knew it was a police officer just by the way he was standing."
The city's evolving use of law enforcement to address public drug use has drawn criticism so what are the risks? We asked Stanford addiction researcher Keith Humphreys. Tolerance was a concern, he said of his 12 hours. Fentanyl users often need the drug several times a day or every couple of hours. While there is risk, an encounter with police or an arrest isn't necessarily dangerous.
"After they arrested me, one of the S.F. officers asked me questions," Rob said of the treatment discussions."Like, have you thought about getting into treatment? Yeah that's a thought, of course."
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