Lucas County Sheriff's Office DART Unit

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Toledo, OH
Lucas County Sheriff's Office DART Unit

DART operates to stop the profound number of deaths of our friends and loved ones caused by opioid a The primary objective of the D.A.R.T. To date, the D.A.R.T.

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 Heroin 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.

11/24/2025

11/21/2025

11/18/2025

Thank you to Brian Dugger and WTOL 11 for doing an amazing job with this important story! It’s an honor to work with each of these amazing individuals as we continue to work hard and see overdose death numbers decline and see individuals get connected to treatment services!

Falling overdose numbers don’t tell the whole story. Survivors and local experts warn the drug crisis still touches every corner of Lucas County.

11/13/2025

Last Thursday, D.A.R.T. and Midwest Centers Ohio held our 3rd Unity is Strength event at the Maumee Indoor Theater. We want to thank all of our community partners and sponsors that showed up and supported this important event. We also want to thank all of the attendees that joined us and helped make this event a success!

A big thank you to our speakers Tony Dible with the Toledo-Lucas County Health Department, Tamme Meridieth who facilitates F.A.A.D. and D.A.R.T. Family Support Group Meetings, and Lt. Zak Reed with the Toledo Fire & Rescue Department. Your personal stories and your important roles in the community made a big impact to the crowd!

We had over 125 attendees and the Toledo-Lucas County Health Department distributed 49 naloxone kits and 40 fentanyl testing strips.

We tried our best to get as many photos of our community partners that joined us during the event. We apologize to those that we weren't able to get to.

11/06/2025

The day is finally here! We hope to see you tonight!

11/06/2025

Thank you for the invitation WTOL 11!

Unity is Strength is aimed at celebrating recovery and connecting people with resources to prevent substance addiction. The event is Nov. 6 at Maumee Indoor ...

11/05/2025

Please help spread the word! We hope to see you there tomorrow!

Tomorrow’s the day!

Join us for Unity Is Strength: a free community event celebrating resilience, recovery, and connection.

📍 Maumee Indoor Theater
601 Conant St., Maumee, OH 43537
🕕 Doors open: 6:00 PM
🎤 Program begins: 6:30 PM

Enjoy inspiring speakers, free popcorn and drinks, prize giveaways, and on-site Narcan resources. Let’s come together to support hope, healing, and community strength.

Speakers include:
Tony Dible | Lucas County Health Department
Lt. Steve Rogers | D.A.R.T Unit
Tammy Meridieth | F.A.A.D / D.A.R.T Family Support Group
Lt. Zak Reed | Toledo Fire Rescue Department

💬 Open to everyone — bring a friend!

10/31/2025

Big thank you to Promedica for the use of their Uptown Green Park and the Toledo-Lucas County Health Department NOSS/Harm Reduction for joining us and the continued partnership! It was a great event!

🌟 Feel Good Friday! 🌟

This week, we witnessed the incredible impact of community support in action! The Drug Abuse Response Team (D.A.R.T.) held a heartwarming winter apparel event at Promedica's Uptown Green Park, in partnership with the Toledo-Lucas County Health Department. With winter knocking at our doors, the team provided essential warm clothing to over 75 unhoused individuals right here in downtown Toledo.

Here's what was shared:
- Over 50 winter coats 🧥
- More than 250 pairs of socks 🧦
- Over 40 pairs of shoes 👟
- More than 300 face coverings 😷

Additionally, the Toledo-Lucas County Health Department brought valuable resources, including:
- 32 naloxone kits
- 122 fentanyl testing strips
- 11 deterra medication disposal bags
- 14 hygiene kits

They also offered vital on-site testing for HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis.

D.A.R.T. is dedicated not only to connecting individuals with treatment services for substance use disorders but also to providing essentials for those in need.

A big thank you to Promedica for the use of Uptown Green Park and to the Toledo-Lucas County Health Department for your invaluable partnership! Together, we're making a difference! 💙✨

10/30/2025

Lt. Steve Rogers and CMO Josh Dressel from Talbot Health Services spoke to high school students at Cardinal Stritch this afternoon. Lt. Rogers spoke on DART and stigma associated with substance use, and Josh shared his personal story and information on Talbot. The students were engaging and asked some great questions! It’s always great to get out in the community, especially our youth. Thank you Cardinal Stritch!

10/29/2025

Please help spread the word!

10/17/2025

It’s approaching quickly! We hope to see you there!

10/10/2025

Your Voice. Your Conference. Your Impact.

We’re shaping the 2026 Ohio Deflection Association Conference — and we want YOUR input!

What topics, trends, or training sessions do you want to see?
What would help your team grow, innovate, and lead the way?

Your insight drives the agenda. Let’s build this conference together.
👉 Share your ideas today through our Voice from the Field link below!

https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=y8TognLEkEGnKBMAl6QZvFAhbXhHy-BJnS9PT0b-dHJUOUQ0Qk5QSzhEUTYyUEY2Wk5STUNBU1FLOC4u&route=shorturl&fbclid=IwY2xjawNWAzpleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFGMldNU3BtZ0xFbk9BTG9NAR5-HgTL8VvkCXTVfrnXeAHW9aIQ2S9odSMq8KFLGB3HXqPGoF4cQy2OKoFAag_aem_CAVM_qOu0F0bIuUzQBIoqg

Address

1622 Spielbusch
Toledo, OH
43604

Telephone

+14192136582

Website

http://www.lucascountydart.org/

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Our Story

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 the communities in Lucas County. The primary objective of the D.A.R.T. unit is to provide victims of opioid overdoses or the disease of addiction with linkage to a variety of therapeutic recovery programs within the local area, including detoxification. 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. To date, the D.A.R.T. Unit has engaged over 3500 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 that consists of Lucas County Sheriff’s Office Captain Richard Grove and Sgt. Steve Rogers overseeing officers from the Lucas County Sheriff’s Office, Toledo Police Department, Mercy St. Vincent’s Public Safety Office, The University Of Toledo, Waterville Township Police Department, The Lucas County Public Library, Metro Parks, and two counselors. In 2017 Sheriff Tharp added caseworkers and counselors to the unit from treatment organizations like The Zepf Center, New Concepts, Unison, and A Renewed Mind to further provide direct linkage to individuals at the time of overdoses or seeking assistance with opioid abuse. The unit also 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, Racing For Recovery, and Team Recovery to provide education and support. The unit not only provides services to subjects seeking help for the disease of addiction, but they tirelessly volunteer hours of their own time going out into the community and participate in educational forums and helping families. The officers salaries/benefits are paid for by their specific jurisdiction. This support provides essential equipment and supplies to assist our amazing community!