Recent data indicates that San Francisco’s drug court program is being misused by serious offenders, essentially serving as a way for them to evade jail time, while costs are on the rise.
This initiative is intended for non-violent, minor drug-related offenses, yet the number of cases has ballooned. In just the first ten months of 2025, over 600 individuals have avoided incarceration, which is three times the number who were granted this option in 2023.
A study showed that applications surged from around 500 to almost 2,000—a staggering increase of 300% based on a review of court statistics.
One notable case involves Gregory McDowell, a repeat offender diagnosed with a severe meth addiction. Despite a history that includes robbery and aiding in a murder, he avoided jail after committing armed robbery at a hair salon and carjacking a victim outside. Assistant District Attorney Jonathan Yang expressed concerns, stating, “This record reflects a significant risk to public safety,” asserting that community treatment was inappropriate for McDowell.
However, he was still allowed to participate in the program by Superior Court Judge Michael Begert, who is now under scrutiny for perceived leniency.
District Attorney Brooke Jenkins has raised alarms about violent offenders exploiting the program, declaring, “This is even worse than I thought.”
Another alarming situation involves Ariana Blair, who attempted murder during a love triangle and was allowed into drug court due to claims of anxiety and substance use. Despite ongoing harassment of her victim, prosecutors have struggled to get her removed from the program.
The situation isn’t limited to robbery or attempted murder. More serious cases are emerging, like a drunk driving hit-and-run that resulted in the deaths of two women on New Year’s Eve 2020. The defendant, Troy McAllister, argued that his meth use contributed to the incident. Facing intense backlash, Judge Begert ultimately denied this request.
Mental health diversions, once a minor aspect of the drug court, have exploded in popularity, rising from 12% of approvals in 2022 to a staggering 91% in 2025.
San Francisco’s acting public defender suggests that the program has built-in protections, attributing the surge in applications to prosecutors often overcharging defendants. Additionally, she points out the city’s worsening drug crisis as a contributing factor.
“I think this reflects the reality on the ground,” she remarked, indicating the complexity of the situation.
