Umatilla County seeks solutions after abrupt closure of Eastern Oregon Recovery Center
By Griffin Beach on Tuesday, July 14th, 2026 in Columbia Basin News Columbia Basin Top Stories
PENDLETON – As Eastern Oregon Recovery Center determines its next steps following the closure of its inpatient facility in Pendleton, county officials say they hope to launch discussions about the future of local treatment options.
EORC Executive Director Amica Bryant shared more details regarding the sudden closure. She said a continued lack of funding and low patient counts forced a change to the facility’s payroll date. That shift resulted in immediate staff turnover, which Bryant described as a “chain reaction” of staffing issues.
Patients who were enrolled in the inpatient program at the time of the closure have been transferred to other facilities, Bryant said.
Bryant said she is uncertain about the future plans for the center or its board of directors. However, Umatilla County Commissioner John Shafer said the county wants to speak with the board about maintaining substance abuse treatment options.
“Umatilla County is hopeful to have conversations with the EOAF Board to discuss options,” Shafer said. “As you can imagine, Detox and residential treatment are important resources to our region. I look forward to these discussions.”
File photo of Eastern Oregon Recovery Center
