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By Susan McNeil

Complex Needs

Mobile overdose prevention teams go forward with $3.6 million in federal funding

Oct 28, 2025 | 4:19 PM

While Prince Albert holds some upsetting statistical records such as having a disproportionately high overdose fatality rate, a new plan is emerging to try to do something about it.

A grant of $3.6 million from the Government of Canada will employ a dozen people to create a mobile complex needs team that will take to the streets to help prevent overdoses.

“This team will meet a real and urgent need in Prince Albert,” said Mayor Bill Powalinsky. “Our overdose death rate is comparable to much larger centres like Saskatoon. By proactively engaging with individuals in the community, this initiative aims to reduce overdose risks before they become fatal. It contributes to our vision of being an innovative, welcoming, diverse, and healthy city of opportunity.”

The mobile team will involve members of the police, Parkland Ambulance and Mobile Crisis. Each organization will get the vehicles and supplies they need to maintain a constant presence that can assess and triage patients on the street and then take them to the resources they need, with the hospital, social services or the Complex Needs Shelter.

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The shelter is similar to the teams in the patients they will monitor, but will be in a building in the downtown area that is expected to open in March 2026.

Teams will work 24/7 and respond to people in crisis, de-escalate situations and divert people who are not having a medical emergency away from the hospital.

The $3.6 million will help buy a dedicated vehicle for the police that will include all the necessary safety equipment and the staff for patrol coverage.

Parkland Ambulance will also provide a van, staff and medical equipment 24 hours per day, using the same funding.

The team will be expected to maintain a constant mobile presence that can assess and treat people in the field, triage patients and take them to appropriate health and social services.

Mobile Crisis will use their allocation to provide a wheelchair-accessible counseling van and salaries for workers and a supervisor.

A total of 12 people will be hired to fill the positions needed and should be up and running in 2026.

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susan.mcneil@pattisonmedia.com