At Portage, drug abusing adolescents benefit from a proven, accredited treatment program.

Designed to meet the individual needs of users, this unique residential program is based on the therapeutic community approach which encourages personal effort and recognizes the importance of peer influence and a family atmosphere. Portage offers competency-based therapy treatment in the context of gender-specific programs.

Living in an enriched, structured setting and supported by a qualified staff, users take part in daily group sessions as well as recreational and regular sporting activities.

These activities lead to:

• increase self-knowledge,
• greater self-confidence and self-esteem,
• an appreciation of physical health and well-being.

Who qualifies for this program?

This program is intended for adolescents and young adults aged 14 and over who:

• abuse drugs or alcohol,
• have lost interest or dropped out of school
• have social adjustment problems or have left home.

The program is also open to anyone who is  under the jurisdiction of the:

• Youth Protection Act as an at-risk adolescent,
• Young Offenders Act as a juvenile delinquent.

Resident's Manuals

• Residential Centres - Québec

Poster - Freedom from Addiction

West Island - Montréal

Brochure

Portage Brochure Québec Adolescents

Watch testimonials from a Portage resident:
Tara - Adolescent Program - West Island, Montreal

PORTAGE ACADEMY

Mandatory for adolescents, the Portage Academy enables them to continue or complete their high school education while they are in therapy.

The curriculum is developed in cooperation with local school boards. Teachers work closely with clinical staff, both in class and in therapy.

Length of the program
The adolescent program is designed to respond to the unique needs of each invidual client. The program is entirely client-centered. Together with their case worker, the youth determine the scope and the duration of their treatment.

Language and location
The program is offered:

• in English and French at Cassidy Lake, New Brunswick;
• in French at Prévost and Saint-Malachie, Québec;
• in English at Elora, Ontario, Keremeos, British Columbia and at Beaconsfield, Québec.

Cost

We invite you to contact the centre to find out about the program's fees. The agreements, admission procedures and social and health services involved vary from one province to another.

Provincial government subsidies and private-sector funding enable Portage to deliver its program for adolescents and young adults.

Admission to the program is voluntary, following an assessment based on the Addiction Severity Index (ASI).

In order to increase their chances of success, it is important for applicants to display a willingness to solve their personal problems. This motivation is assessed by Portage personnel during the pre-admission interview.

For more informations, contact one of the following sites:

AFTERCARE PROGRAM

• This program helps adolescents and young adults to adjust to life in the community, and to retain what they learn in therapy.
• Depending on the province, users may also benefit from social and vocational guidance counselling.

FAMILY SERVICES

• Meetings with family and loved ones in order to bring about understanding and acceptance of the problems that are caused by substance abuse, and to provide support for the users’ efforts to rehabilitate him or themselves.