Portage Keremeos, one year later

11-mars-2010In April 2010, Portage British Columbia is celebrating its one year anniversary operating the residential drug addiction treatment centre in Keremeos. Its history, however, begins several years earlier when community organisations From Grief to Action and Central City Foundation, in collaboration with the BC Ministry of Health, appealed to Portage for assistance. At the time, there was a lack of long-term residential treatment options in the province for youth suffering from drug addiction and many young people from BC traveled across the country to attend Portage programs in Québec, Ontario, and New Brunswick.

Service agreements with Vancouver Coastal Health and Fraser Health Authorities and the collective commitment of all dedicated parties enabled Portage to open in British Columbia last year. Central City Foundation led the capital fundraising campaign, raising $6.5 million for the purchase of the property and the construction of the facility in Keremeos. Vancouver Coastal Health and Fraser Health are contributing $2.5 million annually to cover the operating costs of the drug rehabilitation centre.

Set among beautiful mountains, the 58-acre property is currently home to over thirty BC youths, between 14 and 18 years of age. They are cared for by psychologists, nurses, educators, and other clinical staff members, receiving gender-specific therapy, both in groups and as individuals. Most residents attend Portage Academy, the on-site high school programming tailored to individual needs and learning capabilities. While in therapy, residents work towards completing their high school education and also receive vocational counseling in preparation for their transition back into society. Those residents who have already finished high school are encouraged to continue their schooling through online correspondence courses.

The Keremeos centre currently has the capacity to help 42 residents at a time on their way to rehabilitation from drug addiction. Portage has been working diligently to increase awareness and develop relationships with key stakeholders to increase referrals. 2009 has been an important year of growth and learning for Portage British Columbia and all involved are hopeful for the future.