Sheriff Tony: BSO Tackles Opioid Crisis with Mental Health-Focused, Life-Saving Strategy

Broward County, like many communities across the nation, has been affected by the opioid crisis. Over the years, we have witnessed the tragic effects of addiction, leading to countless lives lost and families torn apart. Understanding that addiction cannot be effectively addressed without mental health awareness and support, the Broward Sheriff’s Office (BSO) has adopted a multifaceted approach that prioritizes both addiction recovery and mental well-being.

BSO, in partnership with healthcare providers and community organizations, has deployed a comprehensive strategy to address these crises, incorporating intervention, education and mental health support. We have equipped our patrol deputies with naloxone, a life-saving opioid overdose reversal drug, and have successfully saved hundreds of lives. Our partnerships with key stakeholders have led to public awareness campaigns and prescription drug takeback programs that are making a tangible impact. We have provided our deputies and investigators with high-tech drug detection devices that are extremely accurate in determining the presence of dangerous substances in trace amounts to limit exposure while conducting investigations. BSO’s Community Programs Treatment Division continues to service the 17^th Judicial Circuit’s Drug Court Program and remains vigilant in determining and testing for new and dangerous street drugs.

To enhance intervention efforts, we have integrated peer specialists into our jails, ensuring those struggling with addiction receive immediate support and access to treatment, including medication-assisted therapy. Additionally, we have helped secure funding for behavioral health receiving centers, providing first responders with alternative locations to transport individuals in crisis rather than defaulting to incarceration. We recognize many individuals facing addiction are also battling mental health challenges, and these receiving centers offer integrated care to address both.

Our strategy extends beyond enforcement to proactive solutions focusing on education, treatment, long-term recovery and mental health awareness. By leveraging crime mapping, overdose fatality reviews and data-driven approaches, we are identifying high-risk areas and deploying targeted outreach efforts. We have also worked with state and federal agencies to secure funds necessary to ensure our county continues to have the resources needed to combat this crisis.

While there is still work to be done, we are encouraged by the positive results we’ve seen. Our commitment remains steadfast, and we will continue to fight for solutions and support those in recovery.

If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction, we urge you to reach out to our community partners and utilize the resources in place to support you. Call 211 or visit Broward Addiction Recovery Center and the United Way of Broward County for more information. Together, we can continue to make a difference and build a safer, healthier Broward County.

Sheriff Dr. Gregory Tony

Service Equals Reward

Certain Broward cities like Coconut Creek, Hallandale Beach, Pembroke Pines, Sunrise, Plantation, Davie, Margate, Miramar, Lauderhill, Lighthouse Point, and Coral Springs maintain their police departments; however, BSO does provide communications and dispatch services to the following cities: Central Broward, Cooper City, Dania Beach, Deerfield Beach, Ft Lauderdale-Hollywood Int’l Airport, Lauderdale-By-The-Sea, Lauderdale Lakes, North Lauderdale, Oakland Park, Parkland, West Park, Pompano Beach, Port Everglades, Tamarac, Weston, and unincorporated West Broward.