Alberta Shuts Calgary, Lethbridge Drug Consumption Sites by June

The Alberta government will close supervised drug consumption sites in Calgary and Lethbridge by June 30. Public Safety Minister Mike Ellis announced Friday that the Sheldon M. Chumir Centre in Calgary and Lethbridge's mobile service will shut as part of a recovery-oriented addiction strategy.

Ellis stated funding will transition to expanded treatment services, ensuring continuous support. The sites opened during the 2017 opioid crisis, with Calgary's facility facing criticism for contributing to neighborhood disorder.

Only three supervised sites remain province-wide-two in Edmonton. Addictions Minister Rick Wilson confirmed no immediate plans to close Edmonton locations, citing insufficient treatment infrastructure. Last year, Alberta closed sites in Red Deer and Edmonton's Royal Alexandra Hospital.