"The jail's intake cell is like a 'jungle,' Sam recounted. 'You have to act like an animal ... If you're weak, you're going to get stomped on by everyone.'"
"During intake, a nurse offered him opioid addiction medication, which he declined. Then, 24 hours after being arrested, he was back on the street, buying drugs."
"Roughly half of patients in custody are released within 2 days, according to health department data. Over 90 percent are released within a week."
"'This isn't me,' he said, looking down at the skin cracked open on his hands, reflecting on his struggles and the possibility of receiving treatment."
Individuals in San Francisco's jails frequently face rapid release, often within days, which hampers effective treatment for substance abuse. Sam's experience illustrates this cycle, as he was arrested, declined addiction medication, and returned to drug use shortly after release. The jail environment is harsh, described as a 'jungle,' where violence can erupt. Although there are recovery programs available, the majority of inmates are released too quickly for meaningful intervention, with over 90 percent leaving within a week, according to health department data.
Read at Mission Local
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