Recovery supports replacing drug consumption sites
Press Release
Drug consumption sites in Calgary and Lethbridge will close and be replaced by services that connect people directly to treatment, stabilization and long-term recovery.
The supervised consumption site at the Sheldon M. Chumir site in Calgary and the mobile unit site located outside the Lethbridge Shelter will close on June 30. Funding will be reinvested into expanded addiction treatment, medical detox, recovery supports and 24-hour outreach teams that will help more people move from crisis toward recovery.
“Drug consumption sites do not help people recover from addiction. Alberta is replacing them with services that connect people directly to treatment, stabilization and long-term recovery. This is about helping people heal, restoring safety in our communities and making sure more Albertans get the care they need to rebuild their lives.”
Mike Ellis, Deputy Premier and Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Services
Alberta’s approach to addiction focuses on helping people recover and rebuild their lives. Alberta’s system of care has expanded significantly, including treatment on demand services, medically supported detox, new medications, recovery communities and community-based supports.
Evidence shows that connecting individuals to treatment and recovery services leads to better long-term outcomes than systems that leave people trapped in cycles of addiction. Recent peer-reviewed research from the Canadian Centre of Recovery Excellence examining the closure of the Red Deer overdose prevention site found no increase in mortality, emergency department visits or ambulance calls among site users after the site closed. The study also found more individuals began opioid agonist treatment following the closure of the site.
“Drug consumption services do not break the cycle of addiction; they prolong it. Recovery-oriented care and treatment help people reclaim their lives, rebuild relationships and restore wellness. Care will continue to be available at every step of a person’s recovery journey.”
Rick Wilson, Minister, Mental Health and Addiction
In Calgary, drug consumption services will transition to:
- Expanded Rapid Access Addiction Medicine (RAAM) services, increasing same-day access to addiction counselling and case management.
- Enhanced opioid dependency services, including additional on-site intake support provided by a registered nurse.
- Enhanced medical withdrawal management at Renfrew Recovery Centre, increasing capacity from 30 to 40 beds and extending intake hours.
- 24 hours a day, seven days a week (24-7) Outreach Recovery Response Teams operating in the downtown area to respond to overdoses, provide stabilization and connect people directly to treatment and medical care.
In Lethbridge, drug consumption services will transition to:
- A new RAAM clinic, operating five days a week to provide same-day assessment, medication initiation and pathways to withdrawal management.
- Ten new medical withdrawal management beds, enabling immediate on-site stabilization and smoother transitions into recovery beds.
- A 24-7 Outreach Recovery Response Team, continuing overdose response and direct connection to health and recovery services within the surrounding area.
All new services will be based at the Lethbridge Wellness Shelter, delivered in partnership with the Blood Tribe Department of Health.
“Recovery Alberta continues to support patients suffering from addiction by providing evidence-based, recovery-oriented services, connection points along the journey and a path to recovery.”
Kerry Bales, CEO, Recovery Alberta
The Lakeview Recovery Community recently received a 100 per cent accreditation rating from Accreditation Canada, demonstrating the quality and strength of Alberta’s recovery-focused model of care.
Work will continue with community partners to assess services, monitor outcomes and take a thoughtful approach focused on improving outcomes for people and communities. Alberta’s government remains committed to building the Alberta Recovery Model, a comprehensive continuum of mental health and addiction care.
Quick facts
- There are currently five DCS sites operating in Alberta, located in Calgary, Lethbridge, Grande Prairie and Edmonton (2).
- The Red Deer site closed at the end of March 2025, and Edmonton’s Royal Alexandra Hospital site closed in mid-December 2025.
- The Calgary and Lethbridge sites will close June 30.
- The Calgary DCS site, located at the Sheldon M. Chumir Health Centre, has six consumption booths and operates 24 hours, 7 days a week.
- The Lethbridge DCS site, located at the Lethbridge Shelter, has three consumption booths and operates daily from 8 a.m. to 4 a.m.
- Both sites are operated by Recovery Alberta.
- Budget 2026 provides $35 million – an increase of almost $3 million from last year – for services to reduce harm and recovery supports.
- Alberta is building 11 recovery communities across the province, including five in partnership with Indigenous communities.
- Four recovery communities are currently operating, with five more expected to open this year.
- Individuals and families can contact 211 Alberta for information on supports and services in their community.
Related information
- CoRE: Landmark evidence shows closing Alberta Overdose Prevention Site led to no increase in overdose deaths and an increase in life-saving treatment
- Alberta Recovery Model
Related news
- Study on drug consumption services: Minister Wilson (March 11, 2026)
- Province expanding recovery support in Red Deer (Sept. 23, 2024)
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