Substance use, homelessness and overdose are not only urban challenges. Across rural and remote communities in Lanark, Grenville and Leeds, accidental overdose deaths are rising, emergency department visits remain persistently high, and more people are living without stable housing — including in encampments across rural parts of the region.
To respond, Lanark County Mental Health has launched the Lanark Integrated Frontline Team (LIFT), a new mobile clinic delivering healthcare, substance use support and social services directly to people facing the greatest barriers to care.
Operating since mid-December, the LIFT mobile clinic travels to places where vulnerable residents live and gather, including encampments, rent-geared-to-income housing, adult supportive housing, and community locations across Lanark County and surrounding areas.
The mobile team includes a social worker, paramedic and nurse practitioner — all experienced in supporting individuals living with complex mental health, substance use and health challenges.
“People in rural communities deserve access to healthcare and support where they are, especially when traditional systems are difficult or impossible to navigate,” said Garry Laws, executive director of Lanark County Mental Health. “LIFT is reaching people who often fall through the cracks — providing care earlier, building trust, and helping prevent health crises before they become emergencies.”
LIFT focuses on people facing barriers to traditional healthcare services, and provides general healthcare, including assessment, prescriptions, follow-up, and care coordination for people without a primary care provider; point-of-care bloodwork and urinalysis for urinary tract infection diagnosis; connections to services; counselling; substance use care; harm reduction supplies, including new needles and pipe; housing support; referrals to withdrawal management; overdose awareness training; and drug test strips.
“Programs like LIFT are about more than services — they are about building trust and relationships with people,” says Lanark County Warden Richard Kidd. “By delivering mobile supports directly in communities, we can reduce strain on emergency departments, prevent crises, and provide earlier care to people facing complex challenges. Lanark County Council is pleased to support Lanark County Mental Health and our paramedic partners with this vital program”.
LIFT is a partnership between Lanark County Mental Health, Lanark County Paramedic Service, Lanark County, and the South East Public Health Unit. It is funded by Health Canada’s Substance Use and Addictions Program, which strengthens prevention, harm reduction, and treatment services.
Mental Health & Paramedic Service
Lanark County Mental Health is a community-based mental health service provider supporting adults and transitional-aged youth (17 +) across Lanark County. For more than 30 years, the organization has delivered assessment, counselling, therapy and recovery-focused mental health care through evidence-based approaches designed to improve access, well-being and self-determination.
Lanark County Paramedic Service (LCPS) provides essential pre-hospital emergency medical care to residents and visitors across Lanark County. Operating 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, LCPS paramedics are the first point of contact for many in emergency situations, responding to a wide range of medical and trauma-related calls. For more information, visit lanarkcountyparamedicservice.ca.