Every meaningful step forward in addressing substance use and overdose in our community begins with connection. While the challenges we face are complex, what gives me hope is the growing number of people across Tampa Bay who are committed to working together to support recovery and improve community wellbeing.
This month, we also recognize Women’s History Month, an opportunity to reflect on the women whose leadership has powerfully shaped the recovery movement.
Leaders like Marty Mann, one of the first women in Alcoholics Anonymous to achieve long-term sobriety, helped bring addiction into the national conversation by publicly sharing her recovery and founding what is now the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence. Lois Wilson, co-founder of Al-Anon Family Groups, created spaces where families could find support and healing. Dr. Jean Kirkpatrick, founder of Women for Sobriety, helped develop recovery communities centered on empowerment and emotional healing.
Their courage helped challenge stigma and transform the way our society understands addiction—from a source of shame to a health issue deserving of compassion and care.
Here in Tampa Bay, that same spirit of collaboration continues to guide our work.
Later this month, we will gather for our Annual Leaders Luncheon to End Overdose, bringing together employers, healthcare leaders, and community advocates committed to advancing recovery-friendly workplaces and supporting the well-being of our workforce.
We are also continuing to support the recovery workforce through our Peer Support Professional Development Groups, which offer Certified Recovery Peer Specialists a space to build skills, share experiences, and support one another in this deeply important work.
Another exciting part of our growth is the expansion of partnerships with community leaders like Kofi Hunt, whose work focuses on building trust and strengthening connections between grassroots communities and the systems designed to support them.
Addressing substance use and overdose requires collaboration across sectors, experiences, and perspectives. The work we do together—through education, partnerships, and community engagement—helps build a Tampa Bay where people are met with dignity, compassion, and hope.
Thank you for being part of this work and for the role you play in strengthening our community.
Yours in service,
Jennifer Webb