SAN FRANCISCO, CA — HealthRIGHT 360 serves some of San Francisco’s most vulnerable and high-risk populations, providing evidence-based, compassionate care for individuals facing addiction, mental health challenges, complex medical conditions, and homelessness.
We recognize the media’s important role in promoting transparency and accountability, and we appreciate the opportunity to address the concerns raised in today’s San Francisco Chronicle article, “They went to rehab to kick drugs. Instead, they died in S.F.’s biggest treatment program,” which can be read here. These concerns reflect the increasing complexity of providing substance use disorder treatment during the ongoing overdose crisis.
Many individuals we serve enter treatment with varying levels of readiness for recovery, and the risk of overdose during a recurrence of use remains ever-present. However, we are dedicated to helping those who seek our support achieve long-term recovery, and we take full responsibility for the challenges outlined in the article.
We are deeply saddened by the loss of individuals in our care who were battling addiction. As required, these tragic events were self-reported to both the city and the state. While we met or exceeded all required standards, areas for improvement were immediately identified and steps were taken to address them. These efforts reflect our commitment to improving client care, health outcomes, and regulatory compliance.
Enhanced Oversight and Collaboration with Public Health Agencies
Recognizing the value of external oversight, we proactively sought additional support from the San Francisco Department of Public Health (SFDPH). In partnership with SFDPH and internal quality assurance and compliance teams, we maintain rigorous oversight that goes beyond industry standards. We have strengthened service coordination to ensure programs consistently meet or exceed local, state, and federal regulations.
Client Safety and Care Improvements
We have implemented several new measures to strengthen the safety and well-being of those we serve. These improvements include a real-time electronic system for tracking bed checks, ensuring that clients are closely monitored. Additionally, person and property searches have been increased, enhanced drug screening has been implemented, and passes to leave facilities have been limited to essential purposes – such as legal, medical, or Child Protective Services appointments.
Expanding Access to Care and Resources
To meet growing treatment demands, our remodeled Integrated Care Center increases intake and assessment capacity, providing quicker access to programs like withdrawal management and residential treatment. Our recruitment efforts have also attracted highly qualified professionals, including staff with lived experience of substance use disorders, whose personal insights enrich the recovery process.
Program Successes and Outcomes
We are proud to share the following outcomes from our San Francisco programs over the past year:
- Residential Treatment: 471 individuals completed our 90-day program, demonstrating a commitment to recovery.
- Step-Down Programs: 442 clients transitioned from higher levels of care to ongoing support.
- Withdrawal Management: 1,638 individuals successfully navigated early recovery stages.
- Outpatient Services: 642 individuals continued their recovery journey while integrating into the community.
These outcomes reflect the dedication of our staff and the progress of our clients.
Continuous Improvement
“At HealthRIGHT 360, we are committed to evolving continuously to meet client needs and uphold best practices,” said Dr. Vitka Eisen, President and CEO. “The concerns raised by the Chronicle have been thoroughly addressed, and we are dedicated to maintaining transparency, safety, and high-quality care.”
We value open dialogue and actively seek feedback from clients, families, and the community to refine our practices and enhance the care we provide.
The loss of any individual to an overdose — whether in treatment or on the streets of San Francisco — is profoundly tragic. It underscores the complexities of drug use and the critical challenges in delivering effective care. HealthRIGHT 360 remains steadfast in its mission to serve those most at risk, continually evolving our programs to provide compassionate, evidence-based support.
We are grateful for the opportunity to engage on these issues and will continue to work collaboratively with the community, public health agencies, and policymakers. Together, we aim to enhance care for San Francisco’s most vulnerable populations, prioritizing client safety and well-being. We sincerely thank our staff and partners for their dedication, whose efforts make recovery possible for so many.
National Treatment Data and Trends
As part of our ongoing commitment to improving care and outcomes, we recognize the importance of understanding national trends in substance use disorder treatment. Below, we have included the most recently available national data from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), which offers insights into treatment length, discharge reasons, and completion rates. These statistics help provide context to our efforts and contribute to the broader conversation about improving care nationwide.
| SAMHSA National Average Length of Stay in Substance Use Treatment by Service Type, 2021 | ||
| Reason | Mean (Days) | Median (Days) |
| Ambulatory – Non-Intensive Outpatient | 146 | 50 |
| Detoxification (Withdrawal Management) | 11 | 4 |
| Ambulatory – Intensive Outpatient | 86 | 41 |
| MAT Outpatient | 304 | 81 |
| Rehabilitation/Residential – Short Term | 25 | 19 |
| Rehabilitation/Residential – Long Term | 135 | 35 |
| Detoxification (Hospital Inpatient) | 7 | 4 |
| MAT Detoxification | 40 | 5 |
| Ambulatory – Detoxification | 21 | 3 |
| Rehabilitation/Residential – Hospital | 37 | 6 |
| SAMHSA National Discharges from Substance Use Treatment Programs by Reason, 2018-21 | ||||
| Reason | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 |
| Completed | 702,218 | 725,929 | 589,879 | 578,044 |
| Dropped Out | 410,025 | 432,610 | 341,002 | 294,132 |
| Transferred | 336,037 | 369,503 | 311,002 | 337,981 |
| Terminated | 103,312 | 95,254 | 69,178 | 63,045 |
| Other | 82,333 | 69,626 | 60,029 | 57,055 |
| Incarcerated | 28,780 | 26,005 | 15,447 | 15,459 |
| Death | 3,671 | 3,576 | 4,152 | 6,032 |
| TOTAL | 1,666,366 | 1,722,503 | 1,391,393 | 1,351,748 |
| SAMHSA National Substance Use Disorder Treatment Completion Rates by Year | |||
| 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 |
| 42.1% | 42.1% | 42.4% | 42.8% |
About HealthRIGHT 360:
HealthRIGHT 360 is a non-profit provider of substance use disorder treatment, mental health services, and primary care to over 45,000 Californians annually. HealthRIGHT 360 provides care that is compassionate, non-judgmental, and evidence-based. We provide services, regardless of one’s ability to pay; inspired by our belief that healthcare is a right, not a privilege. Learn more about HealthRIGHT 360 and our programs at https://www.healthright360.org/.
