The City of Prince Albert is losing the battle with the bottle — as public drunkenness rates soar higher than any other city in Saskatchewan.

Although Prince Albert has only about 35,000 people, according to the 2011 census, it racks up more intoxication arrests than either Regina (population 193,000) or Saskatoon (population 222,000).

"Despite the good efforts of the people at health and addictions dealing with the issue, despite the good efforts of government at having an acute detox center, the problem is growing, and that's concerning to us," Prince Albert Police chief Troy Cooper said.

Last year, for example, there were 2,808 arrests for public intoxication, compared to 1,876 in Saskatoon.

Statistics also show the problem is getting worse.

Between 2010 and 2011, the number of arrests went up about 6 per cent.

So far in 2012, the numbers are up about 8 per cent compared to the same point last year.

The high rate of public intoxication is putting a strain on policing — about 40 per cent of arrests are alcohol-related, Cooper said.