San Francisco, CA \u2013 Journalist Jonathan Choe recently issued a scathing critique via social media against former San Francisco Board of Supervisors member Dean Preston, alleging that hundreds of overdose deaths occurred in the Tenderloin district during Preston's tenure. Choe's tweet, which stated, "> Dean Preston is a loser. The former San Francisco Board of Supervisors member represented the Tenderloin, the epicenter for homeless drug addicts. Hundreds of people died on his watch and now he's complaining about treatment and recovery. Go away bro," highlights the ongoing contentious debate over the city's approach to its severe drug and homelessness crises.
Dean Preston, a self-proclaimed democratic socialist, served as the District 5 Supervisor, which absorbed a significant portion of the Tenderloin during redistricting in 2022. Throughout his time in office, Preston advocated for policies centered on housing-first initiatives, tenant protections, and non-police interventions for drug-related issues. He frequently attributed the city's homelessness and drug problems to systemic economic factors, asserting that "what you're seeing in the Tenderloin is absolutely the result of capitalism."
Official data reveals a grim reality for San Francisco's drug crisis during the period Preston served. In 2023, the city recorded a record 810 accidental drug overdose deaths, with 20% to 25% of these fatalities occurring within the Tenderloin neighborhood alone. Preceding years also saw high numbers, with over 1,300 deaths citywide in 2020 and 2021 combined, a significant portion of which impacted the Tenderloin, underscoring the scale of the crisis.
Preston's stance on drug policy emphasized harm reduction and public health-led solutions, often putting him at odds with more enforcement-focused approaches. He opposed arresting drug users, arguing it was "completely counterproductive," and championed a "Zurich-style" overdose prevention plan that included safe consumption sites and greater coordination across city agencies. He also criticized the closure of the Tenderloin Center, a facility offering services and linkage to drug treatment, advocating for its continued operation or replacement.
Jonathan Choe, a journalist and Senior Fellow with the Discovery Institute's Center on Wealth and Poverty, is known for his critical reporting on homelessness and drug issues, often from a perspective that challenges what he terms the "homeless industrial complex." His direct and confrontational style, as seen in his tweet, reflects a broader sentiment among some critics who believe that current progressive policies have exacerbated the city's challenges.
The intense public scrutiny over San Francisco's drug epidemic played a role in the political landscape. Preston lost his bid for re-election in 2024, indicating a shift in voter sentiment and a desire for different strategies to tackle the persistent issues plaguing neighborhoods like the Tenderloin. The debate continues over the most effective path forward to address the city's complex challenges of addiction, homelessness, and public safety.