SF to open new crisis center to combat fentanyl use

Catch up quick: In early February, Lurie signed new legislation declaring a fentanyl state of emergency, granting him expanded authority to cut some bureaucratic rules to speed up the city's response to the crisis.

• The ordinance allows the city to more quickly add treatment beds and hire public safety and public health workers while tapping into private dollars to support these efforts amid a budget deficit.
• The vacant retail space, which the city first purchased in 2021 for $6.3 million, was initially meant to be used as a safe injection site, but instead will become a stabilization unit.

What they're saying: "We now have the power to cut red tape and move swiftly to save lives," Lurie said in a statement, adding that the center will serve as a "critical resource" that will ease "the pressure on our hospital emergency departments and first responders."

The big picture: The stabilization unit is part of a broader public safety plan meant to address the city's long standing homelessness and fentanyl crisis.

• In addition to the unit, Lurie announced a new triage center on Sixth Street to crack down on the open-air drug market and a new "hospitality zone task force" to deploy more police in tourist destinations downtown.
• Most of the measures are expected to go into effect in 30 days.

What's next: The city is aiming to open the new site in April, which will hold 16 beds with a capacity to serve 25 people daily.