Responding to the public health and safety crisis, Lucas County Sheriff John Tharp launched the Drug Abuse Response Team in 2014. This unit was the first of its kind in our nation. Today, the D.A.R.T. unit reaches far beyond their traditional roles as first responders, and has engaged the unit directly with linkage to treatment for victims and their families.
The D.A.R.T. Unit is composed of a Lucas County Sheriff’s Office Captain, Sergeant, and multiple deputy sheriffs, as well as forensic counselors and officers from other local jurisdictions. The goal of the D.A.R.T. unit is to raise awareness about the dangers associated with Heroin and other drug usage.
The D.A.R.T. unit of the Lucas County Sheriff’s Office added an officer to work with older residents and opioid addiction, a novel partnership billed as among the first of its kind in the country.
Lucas County Sheriff John Tharp said older adults, particularly those with pain management concerns after multiple surgeries, are especially at risk for abuse and addiction. They are also susceptible to medication theft from family members or others.
Nancy Orel, executive director of research for BGSU’s Optimal Aging Institute, was struck by the number of seniors dying of overdose reported by area coroner offices. She found more than 4 in 10 overdose deaths were in people older than 45, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
While other age groups have seen some improvement in death rates, those 55-64 years old had the greatest increase in overdose deaths per 100,000 people, she said. “Part of it is attributed to prevention messages haven’t gotten to older population,” she said, and lauded Lucas County’s efforts.
The D.A.R.T. Unit of the Lucas County Sheriff’s Office can be reached by calling (419) 213-6582.
Information for this post was taken from the following sources: