Quebec is a centrally located province in Canada, situated just north of the American states of New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. To the east is Canada’s maritime province of New Brunswick. To the west is Canada’s most heavily populated province: Ontario.
Quebec is distinct from the rest of Canada, both in its official language and its culture. With a predominantly French speaking population, Quebec culture is markedly European both in its traditions and current trends. Wanting to protect their language and culture, many French Quebecers have a nationalist sentiment, wanting the province to cede from Canada, becoming an independent nation.
The two major cities in Quebec are its capital, Quebec City, and its largest city, Montreal.
While Quebec’s drug and alcohol abuse problems are lower than those found in some of the Prairie and Maritime provinces, it remains prevalent. An estimated 9% of the population suffers from addiction to alcohol or drugs.
Some Quebec-based programs addressing addiction to drugs and alcohol include “Conduire ou utiliser des drogues : il faut choisir”. This program, targeting teens aged 16 to 25, aims to teach the dangers of driving under the influence of cannabis-based drugs, such as marijuana and hashish. Another program, called “Répit urbain”, targets homeless youth in Montreal, Quebec City, Toronto, and Ottawa. One of its goals is to educate young street people about the negative health consequences of drug abuse.
Drug & Alcohol Addiction, Recovery, & Rehabilitation Information for Quebec City, Quebec
Quebec City is the capital of the province of Quebec. For many nationalist Quebecers, it is considered their nation’s capital. The city proper has a population of just under half-a-million, while the Quebec metropolitan area is home to just over 700,000.
Quebec City is one of the oldest cities in North America. Visitors often remark on how walking through Old Quebec, which is still surrounded by the city’s largely intact original stonewalls, feels like walking through a small European city. Quebec City is known for its Winter Carnival (locally known as Carnaval) and its multitude of summer festivals.
A population with some political instability is often at risk for problems with addiction and substance abuse, and the people of Quebec City are no exception. To help address substance abuse and addiction in the city, the Substance Abuse Prevention agency is asking for the public’s help in controlling crimes related to the use of cannabis-based drugs, such as marijuana and hashish. They are also working toward preventing drug addiction in young people.
Another agency, La Maison de Lauberivière, has initiated a project aimed at reducing delinquency associated with entrenched drug addiction. In the program, drug addicts have the opportunity to explore the psychological and psychosocial factors that led to their drug addiction, and receive harm-reduction and rehabilitation treatments.
Drug & Alcohol Addiction, Recovery, & Rehabilitation Information for Montreal, Quebec
Montreal is the economic hub of the province of Quebec, with a population in the greater metropolitan area of just over three-and-a-half million. While the official language of Montreal is French, the vast majority of Quebec’s English-speaking population lives here. It also has a large immigrant population. Approximately 70% of the population speaks French as a mother tongue, 30% speak English, and 10% speak another language. Many Montrealers are fluent in both French and English, and several speak additional languages as well.
Montreal comes to life in the summer. It is world renowned for its summer Comedy and jazz festivals.
Like any major urban center, Montreal has its share of drug problems. Cactus Montreal is a center working to help alleviate the health costs of drug abuse. Their pilot project offers injection drug users a place to feel at home, learning to reintegrate into society. The center’s goals include raising awareness and educating the dangers of drug abuse and addiction.
Located less than an hour outside of Montreal, Sobriety Home offers residential drug addiction treatment in English. While Sobriety.ca Foundation is located in a quiet and tranquil country setting, among the services engaging recreational activities offered by this facility are day trips into nearby Montreal and Quebec City. Sobriety.ca Foundation welcomes individuals suffering from addiction to drugs or alcohol from across North America and even the world. Their Aftercare program ensures that clients continue to receive the care and support they need after they leave the residential facility to stay on the road to sobriety.
