San Francisco is facing criticism over its little-known "Managed Alcohol Program," which provides free beer and vodka shots to homeless alcoholics. The program, which has a $5 million annual budget, aims to keep the homeless off the streets and reduce emergency service use. However, critics argue that the program prolongs addiction rather than addressing the root cause.
Amidst a growing homeless crisis, San Francisco has launched a controversial pilot program that provides free beer and vodka shots to homeless alcoholics. Known as the "Managed Alcohol Program," or MAP, the initiative operates out of a former Tenderloin hotel, offering clients a motel room, three meals a day, and enough alcohol to manage their addiction.
Established under the COVID-19 pandemic, the program was initially intended to prevent vulnerable homeless individuals isolated in hotel rooms from suffering alcohol withdrawal. However, it has since expanded to provide long-term support, with 10 beds earmarked for the Latinx and indigenous population.
According to program officials, clients are provided with a primary care doctor, resources for securing government identification, and assistance with psychiatric care and other treatments. The program also offers art and poetry groups to help individuals express themselves.
Marijuana use is reportedly permitted within the program, with health providers monitoring consumption to prevent health concerns or conflicts.
However, the program has come under scrutiny following allegations by Adam Nathan, CEO of an AI company and chair of the Salvation Army San Francisco. Nathan claims that homeless participants are free to walk in and grab beers from kegs set up in the program's lobby.
Public health officials have disputed these claims, stating that alcohol is dispensed by a nurse and that non-participants cannot access the facility. However, the Salvation Army promotes abstinence for alcoholics and maintains that providing free drugs to drug addicts does not solve their problems.
Mayor London Breed has also criticized harm reduction programs like MAP, arguing that they "make things far worse" by prolonging addiction. She has questioned the long-term viability of funding addiction management with taxpayer dollars.
In contrast, proponents of MAP emphasize its success in reducing hospital visits, police calls, and emergency service use among participants. They cite a study from Canada, which found that managed alcohol programs reduced the risk of death and hospital stays for homeless alcoholics.
Other countries, including Canada, Portugal, and the UK, have adopted managed alcohol programs at a faster pace than the US. Canada, for instance, operates more than 40 such programs.
The debate over MAP reflects the complex and controversial nature of addressing homelessness and substance abuse. Critics argue that harm reduction programs enable addiction and waste taxpayer resources, while supporters maintain that they save lives and reduce the burden on emergency services.
As San Francisco continues to grapple with its homeless crisis, the long-term effectiveness and appropriateness of the Managed Alcohol Program remain to be seen.
