after extensive renovations, the centre opened its doors on February 14, 1973, welcoming its first residential clients.” “This date, a day of metamorphosis, will go down in the organization’s history and forever commemorate the men and women who came through those doors for the very first time,” says Howlett. Fifty years later, Portage has 12 rehabilitation programs across Canada and helps close to 2000 people yearly. Driven by a vision that social action can save lives, Portage will continue its unwavering commitment to helping people with addiction. “This anniversary has great sentimental meaning for me because it is also an opportunity for me to honour the memory of my mother, who helped launch this great project.” As part of its 50th anniversary, Portage has launched its national awareness campaign, AddictionTraps, which highlights how quickly addiction can lead to isolation and showcases a youth trapped by his dependencies and unable to escape the vicious cycle of addiction. https://portage.ca/en/addiction-traps/ Substance abuse affects us all. A recently published report by the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction (CCSA) states “In 2020, we estimate substance use (SU) cost people in Canada more than $49 billion and led to the loss of over 200 84 JUNE 2023 | BUSINESS ELITE CANADA
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