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San Francisco opens 54-bed Healing Center; public health staff expand naloxone access after recent fentanyl deaths
Summary
The department announced the March opening of a 54-bed locked Institute for Mental Disease (IMD) program at St. Mary's after a $3 million renovation. Officials said three fentanyl poisonings on Feb. 27 prompted expanded naloxone distribution, drug-testing kits and outreach to shelters and needle-exchange sites.
The San Francisco Department of Public Health on the commission's agenda announced the grand opening of the San Francisco Healing Center, a locked Institute for Mental Disease program located at St. Mary's that will begin services March 12.
Director Garcia said the program will operate 54 beds and that the renovation totaled $3,000,000, including a $1,000,000 contribution from UC Health and additional support from Dignity and the department. She described the project as a partnership among the city, nonprofit providers and a hospital partner and thanked staff and outside partners for their work.
Garcia also told commissioners the department has been responding to a rise in fentanyl-related poisonings. She said three people died of fentanyl poisoning on Feb. 27 and that the department has expanded naloxone (Narcan) access at pharmacy walk-ins and needle-exchange sites, rolled out drug-testing strips, and intensified education and outreach to people in the shelter system and programs serving people who use drugs.
Commissioners praised the collaborative work with hospitals and community partners and asked staff to monitor related subacute and skilled nursing needs. Garcia said the department is reviewing options to perform seismic or other upgrades while avoiding service disruptions and is working with partners to minimize any interruption of care.
The department said it will continue outreach and training for naloxone reversals and encourage safer-use practices such as testing substances and not using alone. The commission recorded no public comment on the item.
