Our Team

As co-founder of Newgate 180, Peter’s extensive experience and background in program development have been molded over more than 36 years in residential treatment of addictions. A graduate of Algonquin College’s Substance Abuse Counselling program, Peter has developed and implemented many successful multi-module programs designed to meet the specific needs of individual clients. Peter played a lead role at the James Street Recovery Program, where he developed the relapse prevention process with continuing care components. He has also worked with the Rideauwood Institute in Ottawa in their Parent and Teen program.

Bringing awareness and transparency to addiction in the workplace has been a passionate quest for Peter as he created, delivered and implemented addiction education and training programs both publicly and corporately. Peter has demonstrated throughout his long-tenured career, an unwavering commitment to finding addiction solutions. His respectful and compassionate approach to treatment, which sits as the foundation for the Newgate 180 mission, is the result of Peter’s highly intuitive and nurturing nature.

“Substance abuse has become an epidemic that destroys individuals, relationships and families. It is the major cause of workplace accidents and deaths and domestic and child abuse, yet substance abuse treatment continues to be underfunded. Providing immediate treatment for people suffering and ensuring that they are being treated with dignity and respect is not only extremely important work, but it has been truly rewarding.”

Melissa has been on the Newgate 180 team for over 10 years and is often the first point of contact when first calling Newgate 180. With her background in counselling and her current position in management, she is able to help potential clients, and their loved ones, understand more about the program at Newgate 180 and answer any questions they may have.

Melissa holds an Addictions and Community Service Diploma. She also has up-to-date CPR and First Aid, ASIST Suicide Prevention and Non Violent Crisis Intervention training.

“After facing addiction in my personal life for many years, I decided to go to school to become an Addictions and Community Service Worker. Soon after graduating, I began working at Newgate 180 as an Addictions Counsellor and continued in that role for five years. I transitioned from a Counsellor to Office Manager. Although I decided to take a break from counselling, I have continued to work at Newgate for the past 10 years because I love the atmosphere, the staff and the amazing clients I get to interact with every single day. I truly couldn’t imagine being anywhere else.”