San Francisco Mayor London Breed and Supervisor Matt Dorsey have developed a bill called “Cash Not Drugs”, which proposes giving an extra $100 a week to welfare recipients who stay sober by completing weekly negative drug tests. This is part of a contingency management approach that uses positive reinforcement to encourage drug addicts to stay sober. The participation in the program would be voluntary, and the goal is to reward good behavior rather than punishing bad behavior. The main objective of the bill is to save lives in light of the deadly fentanyl crisis affecting the city and the country as a whole.
The proposed legislation aims to make it easier for individuals struggling with addiction to access treatment by offering them a financial incentive to stay sober. San Francisco Mayor London Breed emphasized the importance of getting people on the right path and providing the support necessary for them to take care of themselves. The bill has received feedback from substance recovery organizations to ensure that it effectively helps those in need of support in their journey to sobriety. By listening to the recovery community, the city hopes to provide the necessary resources to assist individuals in overcoming addiction.
The “Cash Not Drugs” program is a response to Proposition F, a voter-passed initiative that allows the city to withhold cash aid from welfare recipients who test positive for illicit drugs and refuse to participate in a free treatment program. However, the new program offers a more compassionate approach by incentivizing sobriety through monetary rewards. Participants in the program who remain drug-free will receive a $100 weekly bonus in addition to their regular cash payments, serving as a positive reinforcement for staying sober. The proposed legislation is meant to complement the existing program and provide another option for individuals seeking help with their addiction issues.
In order for the “Cash Not Drugs” program to become law, it needs to be endorsed by the full Board of Supervisors in San Francisco. If approved, the program will run as a three-year pilot project through a partnership between the Department of Health and the Human Services Agency. An independent organization will be responsible for assessing the success of the pilot program and reporting its findings publicly each year. By implementing this pilot program, the city aims to evaluate the impact of incentivizing sobriety among welfare recipients and determine the effectiveness of the positive reinforcement approach in addressing addiction issues.
The proposed legislation is based on the principle of offering a humane and effective approach to addressing the drug crisis in San Francisco. The focus is on rewarding positive behavior, such as staying sober, rather than solely punishing individuals for their addiction. Supervisor Matt Dorsey, who has his own history of addiction and recovery, emphasizes the importance of providing support and encouragement to individuals struggling with substance abuse. By offering a financial incentive for sobriety, the program aims to motivate individuals to seek treatment and make positive changes in their lives.
Overall, the “Cash Not Drugs” program represents a new approach to addressing the drug crisis in San Francisco by focusing on positive reinforcement and support for individuals struggling with addiction. By offering a monetary incentive for sobriety, the program aims to encourage individuals to stay sober and seek help to overcome their addiction issues. The proposed legislation complements existing initiatives in the city and provides an alternative option for individuals seeking support in their recovery journey. Through this pilot program, San Francisco hopes to evaluate the effectiveness of positive reinforcement in addressing addiction and improving the lives of welfare recipients struggling with substance abuse.
