February 14, 2023, marked Portage’s 50th anniversary—50 years of helping people overcome dependencies. “At the end of the 1960s, Canada was in a state of effervescence,” says President Peter Howlett. “Between a wave of protests against the Church, the questioning of the education system and a certain generational fracture, this period also saw a significant amount of illicit drugs used in North America. The use of cannabis, LSD, heroin and amphetamines, already prevalent among war veterans, was being driven by the hippie movement and the “flower power” era. The growing number of young drug addicts, especially in Montréal, alarmed enough citizens that they got together and took action to find a solution.” Given the context, Howlett’s mother, Alphonsine Paré-Howlett, already well known in the Montréal community for her innovative work in education and social services, joined forces with Dorothy Reitman, a member of the National Council of Jewish Women of Canada. Their aim was to engage key members of Montréal’s French and English communities to support the creation of an addiction treatment program. “In the fall of 1969, amid discussions for the organization of addiction treatment, my mother asked me to attend a meeting in her place,” says Howlett. “Ultimately, this event ended up being the birthplace of Portage and I accepted to chair this new initiative.” The team knew the success of this project would require unwavering community support, and it was here that Alphonsine Paré-Howlett’s investment proved to be providential. Her ability to bring people together and her vast network of knowledge made all of the difference. Portage became a true community alliance in Montréal to bring about change. At that first meeting, Portage’s idea was to create a new rehabilitation program based on the Daytop Village therapeutic community approach, which aimed to rehabilitate among other drug-addicted prisoners in the New York City correctional system. Portage, named as such to express its mission to find a way around an obstacle to continue its journey, saw its first three years devoted to design, research, implementation of services and fundraising. “In the fall of 1972, members of Portage identified a lakeside estate 45 minutes from Montréal, in Prévost in the Laurentians, as a perfect location for establishing the first residential centre,” says Howlett. “It was on the shores of majestic Lac Echo, 5 4
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