An integrated model of mobile and outreach services for street-involved individuals that serves youth and adults negatively affected by substance use.

It includes providing services to the underserved street-involved and homeless population who are disengaged from support networks. As these individuals do not usually access traditional addiction services, partnerships between community organizations already serving this population are required to connect these individuals to alternative service supports to address their unique needs. The Alberta Health Services Provincial Addiction and Mental Health, and Justice team manages seven contracts with not-for-profit (NGO’s) agencies that provide this service at the local level.

The primary goals for agencies contracted through the PMAO are:

• To provide addiction services to street-involved individuals engaged in harmful use of substances
• To meet clients “where they are at” by providing services in informal settings and in an environment where they feel safe
• To provide screening, assessment, brief interventions and referrals to other addiction services
• To increase the capacity of community agencies in the treatment of addictions and knowledge of referral sources through opportunities for consultation and training