San Francisco, once a top destination for travellers, is now driving away sober tourists due to its worsening drug crisis. Visitors are increasingly alarmed by open-air drug use, public disorder, and visible homelessness, leading many to avoid the city altogether.
A City in Crisis
California’s iconic city has long struggled with drug abuse, but the problem has reached new heights. Tourists report encountering drug paraphernalia on sidewalks, aggressive panhandling, and unsafe conditions in popular areas like Union Square and Fisherman’s Wharf.
Impact on Tourism
Local businesses are feeling the pinch as visitors opt for safer destinations. "People come here expecting the Golden Gate Bridge and cable cars, but they leave shocked by the squalor," said one hotel manager. The decline in tourism threatens the city’s economy, which heavily relies on visitor spending.
Failed Policies?
Critics argue that San Francisco’s lenient drug policies have exacerbated the crisis. Despite millions spent on harm reduction programmes, public drug use remains rampant. Other California cities, including Los Angeles and Oakland, face similar challenges.
What’s Next?
Officials are under pressure to take decisive action. Increased policing, stricter drug laws, and better mental health services are among the proposed solutions. But for now, the city’s reputation as a tourist hotspot continues to suffer.
