Sheriff Lott developed the Richland County Sheriff’s Department Drug Suppression Team specifically for the purpose of using innovative proactive policing strategies to deal with community depravation caused by illegal drug activity. The Drug Suppression Team is comprised of uniformed law enforcement officers trained in community policing, crime prevention techniques, and narcotics interdiction. The DST provides the best possible service to the citizens of Richland County by applying its training and talents to reduce the prevalence of street- level narcotics throughout the county. 

The Drug Suppression Team enhances and helps coordinate drug control efforts among federal, state and local agencies; to do so effectively, the DST remains current on narcotics trends and prevention techniques. It works with community groups to learn of their concerns and responds to their tips related to illegal drug activity. The DST works aggressively to dismantle and disrupt drug trafficking, illegal weapons possession, and money laundering organizations.

The Drug Suppression Team’s ultimate goal to reduce drug related crime and violence will be achieved only in partnership with local citizens.