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The Lucas County Sheriff would like to institute a program that would give naloxone to opioid addicts as they depart the jail, but he is still researching funding sources for it.Sheriff John Tharp envisions a program — geared toward those who have been identified as still in detox — who would leave with a kit that reverses an overdose. Jail employees would also offer additional training on using the medication.

So far, it is too early to determine the cost and how to fund such an effort. The sheriff’s Drug Abuse Response Team last week suggested the idea.Sheriff Tharp said law enforcement officers work to protect and serve the public. This is another chance to help a vulnerable group of people, he said.“It’s completely different today than it was 30 years ago with the amount of people shooting heroin,” Sheriff Tharp said.

The sheriff said he hopes to offer these kits as soon as possible.“It’s worth looking at. It’s a need. It’s necessary for us to be serious about this and to do all we can do, again, to save lives,” Sheriff Tharp said.Jail inmates may not be ready to quit drugs, and alternatives that keep them alive are necessary, the sheriff said. He added he does not condone continued abuse, but it still occurs.

Dr. David Grossman, Toledo Lucas-County health commissioner, said the sheriff’s efforts seem like a good idea. Naloxone is an important tool that can save lives, he said.“They’ll now have it without having to go somewhere else,” Dr. Grossman said.

He raised the concern that an incapacitated user cannot administer the medication. A trained acquaintance must be nearby.Sheriff Tharp said the office intends to teach others how to use naloxone.“Part of the project is making sure people who are going to be around — spouses, loved ones, family members — receive that education,” Sheriff Tharp said.