San Francisco experienced fewer overdose deaths in the first half of this year compared to the first half of 2025, the Department of Public Health said Wednesday.
Dr. Jeffrey Hom and Dr. Naveena Bobba from the Department of Public Health spoke at a news conference Wednesday to discuss the declining overdose rates.
From January to June of this year, there have been 262 overdose deaths, a 27% decline compared to the same time frame in 2025, according to the city.
“This downward trend is encouraging, but the number of people that continue to die from overdoses is still unacceptable,” said Bobba. “It’s not enough to prevent deaths, we want people to flourish.”
The decline is attributed partly to an increase in treatment capacity. San Francisco has expanded treatment-on-demand and other support services.
The city also received $100 million in funding from 2024’s Proposition 1, a statewide behavioral health measure that provides money for programs such as substance use disorder treatment. The funds went toward additional beds at UCSF Health’s Hyde Hospital and the Treasure Island Behavioral Health Center.
In 2025, the city also opened a 24/7 stabilization center where doctors, nurses and behavioral health specialists can treat people experiencing a crisis resulting from substance use or drug reactions.
“We have really done a lot of work to try to get our treatment capacity increased, really reaching out to ensure that people have access to the treatment that best suits them,” said Bobba.
Officials also noted that San Francisco reflects national trends, which also point to an overall decline in accidental overdose deaths.
