SAN FRANCISCO 7th & Market st pic.twitter.com/d7fP7aCzqL
— jj smith (@war24182236) April 30, 2026
A viral old video has renewed attention on San Francisco’s drug crisis despite officials saying conditions have improved.
A resurfaced video from San Francisco has reignited debate over the city’s homelessness and drug crisis after showing disturbing scenes in the Tenderloin district. The footage, shared online, appeared to show people in distress, standing motionless or using drugs in public areas.
Authorities said the clip was likely filmed years ago and does not reflect current conditions. Police officials noted that since June 2023, officers have made over 14,392 arrests and seized more than 1,259 pounds of narcotics, adding the city “looks vastly different than when this video was taken.”
Despite some decline in overdose deaths during 2025, San Francisco remains among the highest cities nationally for per-capita fatalities. Local officials admit progress has been slow and say stronger action is needed.