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Letter from the CEO

2024 December

As this festive season approaches, we want to take a moment to express heartfelt gratitude for your partnership and continued commitment to reducing the number of lives lost from overdose.ย 

Through the storms and hurricane recovery efforts of the year, we have continued to convene leaders and activate partners to collaborate with those professionals who have long worked on the front lines in the battle to end this epidemic. Indeed, this year reminded us of the profound impact we can achieve together when innovation meets compassion.

Together we have:ย 

  • Developed and promoted data-driven strategies to reduce overdose deaths.ย ย 
  • Researched the regional impact of the opioid epidemic and identified the types of treatment and resources available within the community.ย ย 
  • Educated our coalition and improved policies in our own workplaces.ย ย 
  • Raised awareness of the crisis and reduced stigma in the community.ย ย 
  • Advocated for funding and disseminated best practices across our region.

Our collective efforts are paying off. The number of lives lost to overdose has decreased. The number of overdoses and 911 calls in the zip codes with the highest overdoses have decreased. Our partnerships have strengthened, our connections to care have increased, and our strategies have proven effective.ย ย 

With the breath that comes from this good news and the hope that comes with a new year, we have also turned our attention inward.ย  Can we further distill our mission? Can we revisit the data to ensure our strategies are meeting the needs in our communities? Are we still strongly connected to our vision? In answering these questions, we realize that we donโ€™t simply want an audacious goal of reducing the number of lives lost by 50% in 5 years.ย ย 

Our vision is of communities where no life is lost to addiction.ย 

This is our holiday wish for you and yours.

Because this crisis has left no family, no community, no business untouched, our vision needed to expand so that no loved one was left behind in the remaining 50%.ย ย ย 

While we will continue to convene, educate, advocate, research, and collaborate, we have given these efforts a roadmap to match our vision. As a community innovator our aim is:ย 

To transform systems and care to reduce suffering and death from addiction.ย 

Whether through advancing care, supporting your workforce, or building resilient communities, I hope this mission resonates with you. After all, your leadership and partnership continue to inspire and strengthen this mission.ย 

As we celebrate the holidays, let us reflect on the hope and renewal this season representsโ€”a fitting parallel to the transformative work we do. May the joy of the season and the promise of a new year fill your homes and hearts with warmth, peace, and optimism.ย 

From all of us at Live Tampa Bay, thank you for being a vital part of this journey. We look forward to continuing our collaboration and creating communities where no life is lost to addiction.ย 

Hereโ€™s to a Bright New Year!โ€ฏ

Jennifer Webb

CEO, Live Tampa Bay

PS: Please mark your calendar for Jan. 16 — An Evening with Craig Lucas. In partnership with St. Petersburg Museum of Fine Art, Live Tampa Bay is excited to host this conversation. Click here for event details.

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