Windsor addiction treatment centre has lost 19 beds in recent months. Here's why

Amid an ongoing drug crisis that continues to kill an increasing number of people in Windsor-Essex, one of the area's well-known residential recovery centres has had to close 19 beds in recent months because of the expense.

Growing calls for help, mixed with a toxic drug supply and complex client needs have already been straining the services at Brentwood Recovery Home. And in recent months, the facility's executive director says on top of that, they've had to cut the number of beds available due to inflation.

That means they'll be accepting fewer people in need of help — at least for now.

"[There's] lots of demand, and demand's outstripping funding and so difficult decisions had to be made by the board," said Elizabeth Dulmage.

And what this also means, says Dulmage with a heavy sigh, is that "wait times will increase."

Right now, she says that Brentwood has a six-to-eight week wait list with more than 200 people hoping to get in.

According to Dulmage, the beds that were lost are ones that the organization has paid for through fundraising efforts. She says it's not that donations are down, but that the growing cost of food and utilities is making it hard to keep more beds open.

Elizabeth Dulmage is the executive director of Brentwood Recovery Home. She says inflation is behind the board's decision to close some beds. (TJ Dhir/CBC)

Last May, Brentwood had 68 beds, but it's now operating 49 — 43 of which are provincially funded.

And this loss of beds isn't the only hit to Windsor-Essex resources dedicated to supporting those with addiction issues. At the start of this year, the region's first drug consumption and treatment site was forced to close due to a lack of provincial funding and its status still remains in limbo. Some advocates say these setbacks shouldn't be happening and have them concerned for those who are struggling.

'One step forward, two steps back' 

Former Brentwood client Joshua Burg — who completed a 90-day program last year for substance abuse issues — says it's "unfortunate" that there will be fewer beds.

Joshua Burg, 32, lives in Windsor. He completed a Brentwood program last year. (Jennifer La Grassa/CBC)

"They would benefit from opening up more beds," he said, adding that having a place to stay and food made for him helped him get through the program.

"Stay strong out there, everyone whose struggling."

Executive director of harm reduction organization Pozitive Pathways, Michael Brennan, told CBC News that "capacity, policy, stigma, bureaucracy and funding" often get in the way of the work that's being done.

"It feels like one step forward, two steps back for our community and that can be frustrating," he said.

He added that it's also frustrating for people with substance abuse issues and their families, who might feel like the resources just aren't there when they start asking for help.

This graph from Public Health Ontario shows an increase in the number of opioid-related deaths in Windsor-Essex over the years. Preliminary data for the first six months of 2023 suggests that 62 people died. (Public Health Ontario)

"I think the real loss here, again, is for all those individuals who we feel that continue to slip through the cracks," he said, adding that he knows the local sector is doing its best to support people.

More complex needs 

Brentwood's Dulmage adds that the organization is also spending more on staffing. She says they've had to hire more nurses as the people coming in for treatment have more complex needs.

"We're not just treating the addiction, we're also treating and trying to address their housing situation, the underemployment situation, complexities in their health care that we just didn't see 30 years ago, so it's a more complex environment than what we had," she said, adding that mental health issues and multiple substance use are also factors.

A Brentwood Recovery Home room is seen in a file photo. (Jennifer La Grassa/CBC)

The 19 beds aren't permanently closed, but it's not clear when Brentwood will be able to reopen them.

"Knowing that there are literally young people out there dying from their addiction ... it takes a toll," said Dulmage of how this is impacting her and her staff.

But Dulmage says the organization remains hopeful that the spots will be available again soon.