San Francisco's Public Drug Markets Resurface Following Temporary Enforcement Efforts

San Francisco is once again facing questions regarding the persistence of public drug use, as a recent tweet from Anthony 没有中文名字 challenged Mayor Daniel Lurie's commitment to eradicating open-air drug markets. The tweet, posted on October 30, 2025, directly quoted the Mayor, stating, "> @DanielLurie said no more drugs in public. Did he forget? @SFMTA_Muni @SFPD," drawing attention to the ongoing situation despite the city's efforts.

Mayor Lurie, who took office in January 2025, has made combating the fentanyl crisis a central focus of his administration. In April 2025, he implemented a significant policy shift, ending the distribution of free harm reduction supplies without mandatory counseling and treatment. This move, part of his "Breaking the Cycle" plan, aimed to connect individuals to care and reclaim public spaces, with Lurie stating, "Fentanyl has changed the game, and we’ve been relying on strategies that preceded this new drug epidemic, which ends today."

Despite these initiatives and increased enforcement, reports from October 2025 indicate a resurgence of open-air drug markets in certain areas of the city. Following a temporary crackdown during the Dreamforce conference, which saw heightened police presence, outreach workers and local observers noted the return of drug activity. The San Francisco Police Department (SFPD) acknowledged the ongoing struggle, with a spokesperson stating that while "major progress" has been made, "we still have work to do."

Both the SFPD and the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) are integral to addressing public safety, including issues related to drug use. SFPD has focused on targeted arrests of dealers and coordinating with federal agencies, while SFMTA works to ensure safety on its transit system, often collaborating with police on crime deterrence. The sustained presence of public drug use continues to present significant operational and social challenges for these city agencies and the broader community.