Aftercare: Working to better leverage community services to respond to client needs

2014-02-24

About Portage

Reintegrating back into everyday life is often the most vulnerable point in an addict’s recovery, as new values, behaviours, and attitudes are put to the test in the outside environment. Portage’s two-year Aftercare Program helps graduates manage this challenge, giving them support and tools to help them withstand negative influences and cope with the stresses… Read more »

Open Letter: Addiction and Mental Health

2013-11-21

About Portage

During National Addictions Awareness Week, which runs from November 18 to 24, Portage is seeking to raise awareness about the co-occurrence of mental health problems and substance abuse, a problem that has grown on a worldwide scale by 38% between 1990 and 2010 [1]. In Canada, the costs of this problem in terms of loss… Read more »

Ontario youth recognised for success overcoming addiction

2013-11-19

About Portage

Elora, Ontario, November 19, 2013 – Thirty-five youth from across Ontario returned to Portage Elora on Sunday to kick off National Addictions Awareness Week (November 18 to 24) and to celebrate their success since completing a substance abuse rehabilitation program at Portage.  The event brought alumni, parents, and loved ones together with current residents and… Read more »

Daniel’s story from addiction to recovery at Portage Elora

2013-11-11

About Portage

At the Portage Ontario Fresh Start event this fall, Daniel bravely stood in front of two hundred strangers to tell them about the traumas of his past that lead to his drug problems and criminal convictions. He explained how, while in treatment at Portage, he learned to better understand himself, so that he could work… Read more »

Martha is helping Portage residents paint a brighter future for themselves

2013-11-4

About Portage

Art therapy is among the many programs offered at Portage Academy, where specialised and dedicated instructors like art teacher Martha Bahula are inspiring residents to renew their interest in their studies.  In art therapy classes, practical projects teaching basic drawing, painting, and sculpting skills are challenging students to expand their horizons and express themselves creatively…. Read more »

Portage’s Recognition Ceremony: A forty-year tradition

2013-10-28

About Portage

Overcoming substance abuse – reconnecting with loved ones, going back to work or to school, becoming an active member of society, and making that commitment to never again live in the shadows – is a remarkable achievement that deserves a remarkable celebration!  In Montréal on September 22 and in Québec City on October 20, Portage… Read more »

Portage celebrates 40 years of success helping people overcome substance abuse

2013-09-23

About Portage

Montréal, September 23, 2013 – As part of Portage’s 40th anniversary celebrations this year, Portage was proud to recognise 150 individuals at its Recognition Ceremony yesterday, for having successfully completed a drug rehabilitation program at one of its residential centres in the Greater Montréal Area. Since its first centre was opened in 1973, Portage’s Recognition… Read more »

Fresh Air Fund: Young addict gets fresh perspective with life at camp

2013-06-22

About Portage

Toronto Star Fresh Air Fund: Young addict gets fresh perspective with life at camp Learning to camp and sleep under stars helped a young addict’s outlook on life. Aidan was invited to attend wilderness camp with Outward Bound which has long partnered with Portage helping young people get back on their feet. Learning to survive… Read more »

A special Portage program for the Inuit community

2013-06-19

About Portage

According to current judicial statistics, nearly all criminal acts committed in the villages of Nunavik are related to drug and alcohol problems. Since there are no prisons in this part of Québec, residents who are found guilty of crimes are sent to the prison in Saint-Jérôme to be incarcerated. At this time, they make up… Read more »

Portage participates in Anti-Bullying Pink Shirt Day 2013

2013-03-14

About Portage

On February 27, 2013, Portage Elora joined the national Pink Shirt Day movement, focusing the day’s programming on combatting bullying. Many Portage residents seeking rehabilitation treatment have either been a victim of bullying or have been a bully themselves, events that have, in some instances, ignited or fuelled their drug addiction problems. For this reason, Portage… Read more »