San Francisco Advocate Adam Mesnick Demands "SHUT IT DOWN" Amidst Major Policy Shift in Drug Crisis Response

San Francisco, CA – Adam Mesnick, the influential figure behind the @bettersoma X (formerly Twitter) account and owner of Deli Board, issued a stark two-word tweet on August 21, 2025: "SHUT IT DOWN." This potent message arrives as San Francisco undergoes a significant pivot in its approach to the city’s persistent drug and homelessness crises, moving away from long-standing harm reduction strategies towards more abstinence-based and recovery-oriented interventions.

Mesnick's recent social media activity indicates a growing exasperation with the ongoing public debate and criticism directed at his outspoken advocacy. Just days prior, on August 16, 2025, he posted, "Imagine making me the problem in soma for many years. Deflection is a chapter in the playbook. It was my photos. It was non consent. I dehumanized people. Imagine that I was the problem. Local politicos and ngos used media to promote the hate and smear be very clear." This suggests his "SHUT IT DOWN" declaration is a forceful demand for an end to what he perceives as a failed status quo and the opposition to more aggressive solutions.

For years, Mesnick has been a prominent and often controversial voice, utilizing his platform to visually document the stark realities of open-air drug use and homelessness in the South of Market (SoMa) district. He has consistently argued for a tougher stance, emphasizing law enforcement intervention and mandated treatment over traditional harm reduction models. His advocacy has frequently placed him at odds with various non-profit organizations and city officials who champion different approaches.

The city's political landscape has seen a notable shift, particularly under Mayor Daniel Lurie, who campaigned on a promise to tackle the crises with renewed vigor. Lurie, who took office in November, has gained new powers to streamline the expansion of shelter capacity and treatment programs. He publicly stated, "We can no longer accept the reality of two people dying a day from overdose," signaling a clear departure from previous policies.

Further solidifying this new direction, San Francisco voters passed Proposition F in March 2024, which mandates drug treatment for individuals receiving cash benefits, with provisions for benefit suspension upon non-compliance. This policy marks a significant move towards interventionist strategies. Complementing this, the city is set to open Hope House, its first abstinence-based homeless shelter, in early September 2025, as reported by KTVU on August 20.

The "SHUT IT DOWN" tweet by Mesnick resonates with a segment of the population frustrated by the perceived ineffectiveness of past policies, aligning with recent critiques in publications like Quillette and the Independent Institute. These outlets, in mid-August 2025, argued that San Francisco's harm reduction policies had become "divorced from recovery," contributing to record overdose deaths. Mesnick's call encapsulates the demand for a decisive end to these policies and a full embrace of the city's new, more recovery-focused and interventionist strategy.