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Supervisors adopt overdose‑prevention policy submissions for city departments and grantees; members call for broader harm‑reduction steps
Summary
The board received and adopted departmental overdose‑prevention policies and directed continued partnerships with providers; supervisors urged wider distribution of naloxone and fentanyl test strips amid rising overdose fatalities and recent local deaths.
The Board of Supervisors adopted a resolution March 8 receiving overdose prevention policies submitted by city departments and their grantees, and recording how those entities will promote strategies intended to reduce drug overdoses.
Supervisor Hillary Ronan used the item to urge stronger, citywide harm‑reduction measures after a recent local cluster of fatal overdoses involving presumed fentanyl. Ronan described the deaths of three young people in her district who likely consumed cocaine laced with fentanyl and called for wider access to fentanyl test strips and naloxone (Narcan), saying test strips should be “available at every entertainment bar or restaurant” and that no one should take illegal drugs without Narcan nearby.
Supervisor Matt Haney, who co‑chairs public‑safety and budget work on the issue, said the resolution implements a policy the board passed the previous year: departments and grantees that serve people who use drugs must adopt overdose‑prevention policies and include those requirements in city contracts. Haney said progress has been made but significant gaps remain — particularly in ensuring training, naloxone availability and consistent protocols across city providers and contractors.
The resolution was adopted unanimously. Supervisors said next steps include continued oversight to ensure contracted providers and navigation centers have required overdose protocols, expanded naloxone distribution, and targeted outreach to reach non‑homeless persons who use drugs recreationally and may not know about fentanyl contamination in the supply.
What the resolution does: it documents departmental submissions of overdose‑prevention plans (DPH, Department of Homelessness & Supportive Housing, Healthy Streets Operations Center through DEM, Human Services Agency) and reiterates the board’s expectation that city contractors and grantees incorporate overdose prevention into program design and operations.
Next steps urged by supervisors: expand naloxone distribution, scale access to fentanyl test strips in nightlife and entertainment venues, and ensure city contracting and monitoring practices require grantees to maintain overdose‑prevention training and supplies.
