SMITH, David E. and John LUCE. Love Needs Care: A History of San Francisco’s Haight-Ashbury Free Medical Clinic and its Pioneer Role in Treating Drug-abuse Problems.

(Boston and Toronto): Little, Brown and Company, 1971.  First edition.  Octavo.  405 pages.  The 1960’s saw an enormous influx of youth to the Haight Ashbury neighbourhood, with predictions that 100,000 more people would migrate to the area during the Summer of Love in 1967. Despite the association of the Haight during this time with peace and love, new and old residents lacked shelter, food, and resources amidst increased policing and political clashes. Local neighbourhood groups like the San Francisco Diggers organized free meals, entertainment, and safe spaces to connect with neighbours. A long-time Haight resident and Chief of the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Screening Unit at San Francisco General Hospital, Dr. David Smith was inspired by a new neighbourhood clinic in Watts, Los Angeles, as well as by the free offerings of the San Francisco Diggers. He proposed that the San Francisco Health Department fund a local clinic where residents could seek accessible and non-judgmental medical resources. After the Health Department rejected this idea, Smith started his own.  Dr. Smith opened the Haight Ashbury Free Clinic on June 7, 1967, which was the first free clinic of its kind in the United States. The small clinic on 588 Clayton Street was open 24 hours and saw over 250 patients on its first day, utilizing donated medical supplies and 50 to 60 volunteers. Illustrated with photographic plates.  A very good copy in dust jacket.