San Francisco Turns to Conservatorship in Drug Crisis: A Study of Diana Staros’ Case

By: Sakchi Khandelwal

In the face of an escalating drug crisis, San Francisco city leaders are reconsidering conservatorship as more than a last resort in treating individuals with severe drug addictions. A powerful illustration of the potential efficacy of this approach is the heartbreaking case of Diana Staros. Staros, a young woman who lost her life to the ravages of meth and fentanyl addiction, might have been saved by the forceful intervention that conservatorship provides, according to her grieving mother, Alison Monroe.

California’s Conservatorship Law Expansion
On January 1, California expanded its conservatorship law via Senate Bill 43. Previously, the law only covered individuals suffering from mental illnesses or alcoholism who were incapable of looking after themselves. The recent amendment includes those battling drug addictions. The San Francisco Department of Disability and Aging is in the process of preparing for the implementation of this change, increasing staffing and coordinating with partners.

Response from City Leadership
Mayor London Breed has been vocal in her advocacy for swift action to alleviate the plight of those ensnared in the grip of addiction. “We must act now,” says Breed, a statement reflecting the urgency of the situation. But despite the mayor’s fervent push, the approach has its detractors.
Opposition and Challenges

Critics argue that involuntary treatment is not the answer. In their view, resources would be better directed towards improving mental health services and providing housing. The Bay Area counties of Contra Costa, Marin, and Santa Clara, are either delaying the implementation of the expanded conservatorship law or have yet to establish a clear timetable. These counties face their own unique challenges in grappling with the drug crisis, reflecting the complexity of the issue at hand.

In the midst of these debates, the memory of Diana Staros serves as a stark reminder of what is at stake. As the city gears up to apply the new law, the question remains: Can conservatorship be the lifeline for those teetering on the brink of self-destruction due to drug addiction?

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San Francisco Turns to Conservatorship in Drug Crisis: A Study of Diana Staros’ Case