Two California cities renowned for their open-air drug abuse have been named among the top 10 cities for sober traveling.
Both Oakland and San Francisco have been included in a list of the ten best cities in the US to travel to if you're teetotal despite both being ravaged by drug abuse.
Sana Lake Recovery analyzed factors including hiking trails, fitness studios, and the amount of Alcoholics Anonymous locations before publishing their study.
According to the recovery facility, Oakland is the second best in the country, while San Francisco was listed as the tenth best.
That's despite years of issues in both Bay Area cities relating to open drug use on the streets involving fentanyl and issues surrounding homelessness.
Crime in Oakland hit such high levels last year that Governor Gavin Newsom had to deploy Highway Patrol officers to initiate crackdowns.
According to a Oakland Side report in 2023, crystal meth had become more widely used due to its increased potency and cheaper pricing.
The number of people abusing the stimulant had soared, sparking a serious public health problem.
In nearby San Francisco, overdose deaths hit a record high in 2023 before dropping slightly last year.
The ongoing epidemic has been fueled by the use of fentanyl in the city, in 2021 then Mayor London Breed had to declare a state of emergency in the Tenderloin area.
The area became an international symbol for squalor and despair with desperate addicts littering the sidewalks just a few blocks from City Hall.
According to the Office of the Medical Examiner, there were 635 accidental drug overdoses last year.
The previous year the number had soared to a shocking 810, with 358 people dying already this year.
Current projections by the office indicate that will hit over 700 deaths before the end of 2025.
The amount of deaths started to spike in the mid to late 2010s as fentanyl started sweeping the open drug markets.
The synthetic opioid was involved in over 70 percent of accidental overdose deaths in 2024, most often combined with other illicit substances, the office said.
Public health officials in San Francisco say they have ramped up access to treatment programs since 2022. Admissions to such facilities hit a record level in 2024.
In their findings, Sana Lake said Oakland was great for those 'seeking clarity and connection with nature'.
It added that the city has five mocktail bars that are contributing to a growing sober-friendly scene, which provides 'an enriching experience for sober travelers'.
St. Louis, Missouri topped the list, with other cities including Seattle, Washington, and Miami, Florida, also appearing in the top ten.
They added: 'While many people indulge in a drink or two and let loose to experience the local nightlife while on vacation, the reality of traveling looks different for those in recovery.
'For sober travelers, the ideal destination isn’t about the bar scene, it’s about exploring different activities that support a substance-free lifestyle.'
St. Louis took the top spot due to its 'well-rounded mix of wellness-focused activities and enriching cultural experiences.'
Read more
Komentar
Posting Komentar