Umatilla County commissioners take control of the detoxification center
By Terry Murry on Thursday, September 18th, 2025 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
PENDLETON – The Umatilla County Board of Commissioners approved issuing a request for proposals to operate the alcoholism detoxification center Wednesday. Not long ago, the board learned the detox center had not been operating since April.
Eastern Oregon Recovery Center Director Darren Cole told the county at an earlier meeting that the main reason the center was not working was due to staffing. EORC held the contract to operate the detox center and he was proposing possible other uses for the building on Northwest Pioneer Place.
“Umatilla County needs a detox center,” Commissioner John Shafer said.
In addition to asking for proposals from those willing to operate the center, the commissioners voted to terminate the building’s lease by EORC (formerly the Eastern Oregon Alcoholism Foundation. Both votes by the commissioners were unanimous.
