Zuckerberg Hospital reports 164% rise in opioid treatment demand during 2023

San Francisco County is taking significant steps to address the rising demand for substance use treatment, particularly in response to the ongoing opioid crisis. During a recent government meeting, officials highlighted a remarkable 164% increase in patient intakes at the Opiate Treatment Outpatient Program at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital compared to 2021. This program currently serves around 700 patients annually and has seen more intakes in the summer of 2023 than in all of 2022.

The Maria X Martinez Resource Center has also made strides, treating over 600 patients with medications for addiction. A new buprenorphine medication delivery program has been initiated to support individuals in housing, aiming to retain more patients in care. Currently, the program is working with more than 80 patients across 32 supportive housing facilities.

Despite these advancements, officials acknowledged significant challenges. The interim medical director for substance use services, Dr. David Pading, pointed out the urgent need for rapid acquisition of new services to meet the increasing demand. Staffing shortages, particularly for extended hours, have hindered the ability to provide treatment during nights and weekends. Additionally, state and federal regulations complicate the provision of necessary services, especially for fentanyl addiction, which requires different treatment protocols than those designed for heroin.

The meeting underscored the critical shortage of behavioral clinicians, including counselors and licensed social workers, which further exacerbates the issue. Officials emphasized the need for greater investment in data infrastructure to better measure and respond to population demand for treatment.

Looking ahead, the county aims to improve wait times for care and expedite the contracting process for new services. Collaboration with the mayor's office on upcoming legislation is expected to facilitate these efforts. The focus remains on expanding access to effective treatment options, particularly medication-assisted therapies, to combat the growing substance use crisis in San Francisco.