Julien Lacroix announced on Instagram that he will become a spokesman for the Le Grand Chemin centers, an organization that welcomes young people aged 12 to 17 who struggle with addiction problems. The comedian admitted that he needed such resources as a teenager.
Julien Lacroix chose a photo from 2008 of him sitting on the floor trying to put his shoe back on, in a vulnerable moment from 2008 to announce that he was becoming spokesman for the Grand Chemin.
“Staying in a therapy center in 2020 prepared me for the rest of my life. Today, if I can encourage just one teenager struggling with addiction to seek the help I'm entitled to, my mission will be accomplished,” the comedian and father wrote on Instagram.
In July 2020, Julien Lacroix was forced to withdraw from public life after an investigation by the newspaper Le Devoir accused him of sexual violence against nine women who had denounced him. In a counter-investigation by La Presse and 98.5 in November 2022, the complainants said they regretted their statements.
The 31-year-old comedian has since spoken several times on social media, radio and television about his recovery process and his addiction to alcohol and drugs.
The man, who celebrated two years of sobriety in July 2022, says he is proud to be part of a program he would have loved to see as a teenager. He explains that he had the opportunity to meet the teams of “passionate and experienced” speakers from the Le Grand Chemin centers in Quebec, Montreal and Saint-Célestin. These open their doors to young people who have developed (or are currently developing) a drug, gambling or cyber addiction problem.
“In the next few months I will meet these young people, all of whom make me think of 16-year-old Julien, who would also have benefited from seeking help,” notes the comedian.
Similar life paths
The general director of the Center Le Grand Chemin, David Laplante, affirmed in a press release that “the experience was lived.” [Julien] has many similarities with the life course of our young people.
Julien Lacroix thus joins the list of artists who have decided to use their turbulent past to attempt prevention. In particular, her friend Maripier Morin, who addresses various topics related to addiction and recovery in her podcast Grains d'heure.
The comedian continues his return to public life with his show Le temps au temps. He will be at the St-Denis in Montreal this week, where he will present his media premiere on Thursday. He will then continue his tour of Quebec.