San Francisco has launched its “Living Proof” health campaign as part of the fight against the city’s devastating fentanyl crisis. The initiative, spearheaded by the city’s health department, aims to encourage those battling addiction to seek treatment by showcasing success stories of individuals in recovery. The campaign features nine people who overcame addiction, their images now displayed on billboards to inspire others to take the crucial first step towards recovery. Dr. Grant Colfax, SFDPH Director of Health, stated, “With the Living Proof campaign, we are showing that recovery from fentanyl and other drugs is not only possible but happening every day in San Francisco. These courageous individuals are inspiring and a testament to the lifesaving support available through SFDPH services”. See more at: SF.GOV

This effort coincides with the expansion of San Francisco’s treatment-on-demand programme. Last year, the Health Department’s Night Navigation Team provided on-the-spot consultations, prescriptions, and rehabilitation referrals to individuals on the streets grappling with opioid addiction. “In one month, we had over 200 prescriptions and nine people admitted to rehab,” recalled Douglas Liu, a night navigator. Since then, overdose deaths have shown a promising decline—down from 631 between January and September 2023 to 504 during the same period in 2024.

However, despite these advancements, challenges remain. Many treatment beds often sit empty, highlighting the difficulty in getting people to commit to detox or enter residential programmes. Dr. Hillary Kunins, Director of Behavioural Health Services, acknowledged this issue, saying, “We have learned people do want treatment and help… but taking that first step is hard.”

She also noted, “Buprenorphine and methadone reduce the risk of death among people with opioid use disorders by approximately 50% and are key in reducing opioid-related overdose deaths and helping people build stable lives”. (SF.GOV)

The campaign also banks on personal connections, such as recovery advocate Shavonne Allen, who now mentors others struggling with addiction. “Anyone facing addiction often isolates themselves with shame, but I want them to know recovery is possible,” she said.

Dr. Kunins underscored the scale of the crisis and the need to remain hopeful. “Fentanyl has challenged us to rethink how we approach this crisis, but holding hope that this can and will be different keeps us pushing forward,” she affirmed. The “Living Proof” campaign represents that hope, demonstrating that recovery is attainable amidst the city’s efforts to turn the tide on the fentanyl epidemic.

Source: abc7news