The San Francisco County government meeting held on July 24, 2025, focused on significant developments in the city’s drug policy, particularly the Recovery First ordinance and its implications for overdose prevention strategies.

The meeting commenced with public comments, where Richard Beal, a long-time ambassador for recovery in the Tenderloin, expressed his strong support for the Recovery First ordinance. Beal emphasized the importance of recovery principles, stating, “Rule number 1 is don't take nothing no matter what,” and urged the supervisors to continue their efforts in supporting recovery initiatives.

Following public comments, the supervisors moved to discuss the next agenda item. Supervisor Dorsey made a motion to continue the discussion on the Recovery First ordinance to the call of the chair, which was unanimously approved by the members present.

The meeting then transitioned to a hearing aimed at gathering input from city departments and stakeholders regarding potential updates to the 2021 ordinance mandating annual reports on overdose prevention policies. This hearing was a direct follow-up to the recent passage of the Recovery First ordinance, which aims to prioritize long-term recovery from substance use disorders in San Francisco's drug policy.

Supervisor Dorsey highlighted the rationale behind the Recovery First ordinance, noting that the city’s drug policy should reflect the aspirations of families seeking recovery for their loved ones. He expressed gratitude to his colleagues and Mayor Daniel Lurie for their support in advancing recovery-oriented policies.

Dorsey emphasized that the Recovery First ordinance was merely the initial step in a broader initiative to integrate recovery into all drug policies. He outlined the importance of revisiting overdose prevention policies, first adopted in 2021, and sought collaboration from city departments to ensure effective legislative updates.

The meeting concluded with a commitment to gather feedback from relevant stakeholders before drafting any new legislation, reinforcing the city’s dedication to addressing the ongoing drug crisis through a recovery-focused lens. The next steps will involve further discussions and potential revisions to existing policies to enhance the support for individuals struggling with substance use disorders in San Francisco.