Our Story
Dedicated to Creating Healthier Communities
IDEA Exchange Tampa was established in January 2021 and is the second legal syringe exchange in the state of Florida. Operating in partnership with Tampa General Hospital, The University of South Florida, and Pioneer Medical Group, we work tirelessly to promote equitable access to care by increasing access to the tools necessary to keep people healthy, especially those who are most vulnerable. In addition to our primary function of exchanging used syringes for new ones, IDEA Exchange Tampa also provides many auxiliary harm reduction services to reduce the spread of HIV, Hepatitis C, and other blood-borne diseases.
Mission
To work directly with people who use drugs to achieve the goals of social, structural and health equity along a continuum of self-defined recovery.
Vision
By providing equitable judgment-free harm reduction and recovery support, we hope to disrupt the stigma surrounding addiction and transform the social narrative around people who use drugs.
Values
Meeting people where they are at
Non-recovery dependent
Providing accessible, equitable, and culturally appropriate comprehensive care
Reducing harm
Offering non-coercive, agnostic linkage to services
Provide hope and ongoing disruption of internal bias
No stigma or judgment
Enhance quality of life
Provide support for the restoration of autonomy and create a safe space for self-defined recovery
Our values breathe life into every aspect of our organization's mission, guiding us toward positive change and meaningful impact.