The Lucas County Sheriff's Office Drug Abuse Response Team (D.A.R.T.) is a law enforcement lead deflection unit established in 2014. The Drug Abuse Response Team is one of the countries first deflection teams to combat the opioid epidemic and is now a national model. Our team consists of 3 full time D.A.R.T. Officers, and in the coming months, a part time peer support specialist.
Sheriff John Tharp (Retired)
Processes and Procedures
D.A.R.T. officers respond to area hospitals for communication with overdose victims;
Maintains communication with family and friends of the victim;
Maintain a compassionate demeanor while reassuring and providing support to the victim with immediate help and assessment and treatment;
Transports victims ( if needed ) for assessment, disposition, detox, and recovery housing;
Continue necessary communication and support with victims as they enter detox and recovery housing;
Support the victim and their family across the time frame of recovery.
DART Board Members
Lawrence C. Boyer
Daniel K. Cassavar MD MBA
Dr. Romules Durant
John Henry
Harold R. Howell Jr.
Susan Rees
Scott Sands
John Tharp
Jim Weidner
The Drug Abuse Response Team is a multi-jurisdictional unit that is overseen by the Lucas County Sheriff’s Office. The unit consists of officers from the LCSO, Toledo Police Department, and the Mercy Health Police Department.
