In July 2014, Ohio Lucas County Sheriff John Tharp initiated the most unique and innovative unit in the United States, known as the D.A.R.T. Unit; with the support of Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine. This was in response to the public health crisis and epidemic of opioid overdoses, deaths, and addiction throughout Lucas County. Our goal is to raise awareness about the dangers associated with Her
oin and other drug usage. unit has grown to helping victims of the disease of addiction through linkage to a variety of therapeutic recovery programs within the local area and to provide education to on the profound effects of addiction. This is done without compromising the trust and identities of individuals being assisted. The unit also recognizes the importance of the communities safety, and provide invaluable intelligence information to many jurisdictions without compromising our clients privacy. Unit has engaged over 5500 members of the community, with 73% of those subjects entering detoxification and/or recovery programs. This success was increased (80% +) when officers provided individuals with a sober living environment. The Drug Abuse Response Team is a multi-jurisdictional unit with officers and advocates assigned to the unit from the Lucas County Sheriff’s Office, Toledo Police Department, Mercy St. Vincent’s Public Safety Office, Lucas County Adult Drug Court, Area Office of Aging Northwest Ohio, and Lucas County Childrens Services. In 2017, the unit enhanced their partnerships with treatment organizations like Arrowhead Behavioral, The Zepf Center, New Concepts, Unison, and A Renewed Mind by inviting them to provide a member from their staff to join the unit as a means to improve direct linkage to individuals at the time of overdoses or seeking assistance with substance abuse. The unit collaboratively works with the Ohio Attorney General’s Office, The Lucas County Commissioners Office, The Lucas County Mental Health and Recovery Services Board, religious organizations, private/public business entities, law enforcement, medical organizations, amazing community volunteers to address the stigma on the disease of addiction. The unit not only provides services to individuals seeking help for the disease of addiction, but provides educational services to family, friends, and youth within the community through in-person and virtual presentations, workshops, and social media. The unit was established as a 501C-3 in 2018. The officers and advocates salaries/benefits are paid for by their specific jurisdiction. The operating costs are solely supported through grants and private donors. It is due to the ongoing love and support from our community that we are able to provide our essential and unique services to the citizens of Lucas County.
