Henwood addiction treatment centre permanently closed after June flooding

Edmonton's largest provincially-run addiction treatment centre, Henwood Treatment Centre, will not reopen. Recovery Alberta announced Wednesday, Aug. 27, that the 60-bed facility was permanently closed following "significant damage from overland flooding" in June.

All clients have been transitioned to alternative addiction treatment services. Among those affected were 104 "active clients" awaiting assessment for admission to Henwood, plus a waiting list of approximately 600 others, according to social media reports. Recovery Alberta said it proactively contacted each displaced client by phone to discuss alternative treatment options.

The closure removes more than 60 treatment beds from the city at a time when demand for addiction services remains critical. Leanne Alfaro, president of the Health Services Association of Alberta, said the loss is "deeply concerning" to the union's members. "The loss of more than 60 treatment beds in the city without any immediate replacement will only increase demand for these services, especially at a time when the opioids crisis continues to claim lives," Alfaro said. She called on Recovery Alberta to "advance strategies for opening new treatment beds in Edmonton."

Some 20 addiction counsellors, clinical supervisors, mental health therapists, recreation therapists, psychologists, therapy assistants and social workers at Henwood are being redeployed to other treatment services.

The province said it is adding more than 400 treatment, stabilization, housing and recovery spaces across the Edmonton area, and noted that Poundmaker's Lodge Treatment Centre is returning to full operating capacity. Individuals seeking addiction treatment can call 211 for information on available services.