Wabanaki Public Health to close detox center in Bangor amid funding cuts

Bangor’s Cedar Road Detox Center to Shut Down, 24 Employees Laid Off

Bangor, Maine – A local addiction‑treatment facility in Bangor announced that it will cease operations, citing financial shortfalls. The closure will affect 24 workers, who are being let go as the center winds down its services.

The Cedar Road Detox Center, operated by the Wabanaki organization, has been a resource for individuals seeking short‑term detoxification and stabilization. In a statement to local media, the center’s leadership explained that ongoing funding gaps have made it impossible to sustain day‑to‑day operations.

“We have struggled to secure the necessary financial support to continue providing care,” the statement said. “After careful consideration, we must close the facility and lay off staff to comply with budget realities.”

The announcement comes amid broader concerns about the availability of addiction treatment facilities in Maine. Community members and local officials expressed worry that the loss of the Cedar Road center will create a void for those seeking help in the region.

Maine state officials said they are monitoring the situation and will keep residents informed about potential alternatives for those who might have used the center’s services. The state’s Department of Health and Human Services has not yet released details on whether any other facilities will absorb the displaced patients or whether additional funding will become available to replace the services lost.

The closure is expected to take effect within the next month, according to the center’s notice. Employees who are being laid off will receive severance packages and assistance with job placement, the statement added.

Residents who relied on Cedar Road for detoxification will need to seek care elsewhere, though no specific replacement programs were identified at the time of the announcement. Local health advocates are calling for a review of funding structures to prevent similar closures in the future.

For now, the Cedar Road Detox Center’s shutdown marks a significant shift in Bangor’s addiction‑treatment landscape, leaving a gap that the community will need to address through other state and private resources.