San Francisco officials approve purchase of property for supervised drug use site

San Francisco supervisors have approved the purchase of a property that could be used as a supervised drug use facility. 

The building cost the city $6.32 million and is approved for behavioral health needs with no specified purpose, the San Francisco Chronicle reported on Tuesday. Drug use sites are still illegal in the state.

Supervisor Matt Haney reportedly added a last minute amendment to the deal that said the city “has not committed to a specific use or project on the site.”

Supervisor Aaron Peskin was the only one to vote against the amendment, saying the city had clear plans for the building. Although Peskin supports a supervised drug use site, he believes the building is “being fast-tracked without a real plan” and not enough consideration has been taken for the neighborhood it will be in. 

Mayor London Breed (D) said she is seeking more funding for police to increase law enforcement presence in the area where the drug site will be located, according to the Chronicle. 

The city’s health department has said the building will contain 15 beds for those experiencing mental health episodes. 

The move to purchase the building follows the approval of the first safe haven for drug use in New York City in November.