Somerville event to heighten addiction awareness, share resources

SOMERVILLE – Jackson Rannells knew the opioid epidemic in every American community, no matter whether it was rich or pool or in New Jersey or Wyoming, could not be swept under the rug and ignored.

The former Somerville High School student who lived in Branchburg had his own struggles with addiction. He made poor choices that propelled him on the path to addiction in his teen years and worsened in his 20s after being prescribed an opioid medication for an injury. He had too many friends and classmates who lost their battles.

In 2018, with the help of his father, Jack created a nonprofit organization, Not An Easy Fix, to honor the victims, heal the pain in communities and increase awareness of the epidemic that lies in waiting in every town. He also wanted to erase the stigma that too many attach to addiction, which would make it less difficult to seek and accept the resources necessary for recovery.

Jack planned to have the first community event on Division Street in Somerville in the summer of 2019, but his continuing struggle with addiction intervened.

He sought treatment and when the opportunity returned to hold the event, the country was struck with another epidemic, COVID-19, that just increased the loneliness and boredom that addiction feeds on.

Then, on Feb. 18, 2021, while the country was still struggling with COVID-19, Jackson had a relapse and fentanyl poisoning took his life at the age of 30.

Now his parents, Ellen and Jack Rannells, are continuing their son's mission to make a difference in the lives of others and communities.

Not An Easy Fix, billed as "A Night of Community, Honoring and Healing," will be held 6 to 8:30 p.m. Sunday on the lawn of the Historic Courthouse on East Main Street.

Also see:Is alcohol considered a drug? Explaining its addictiveness and its effect on your body.

"We want to bring people together," Jack Rannells said, "not only to make them aware of the problem, but also aware of the resources available to them."

Ellen Rannells said her son believed in the adage that "it takes a village," and that was especially essential in the response to the opioid epidemic.

"We want to bring the community together," she emphasized, "because it's about the community."

The event will begin with a dozen area organizations presenting their resources at tables on the courthouse lawn. There will also be demonstrations how to administer Narcan, the medication that can revive an overdose victim.

At 7 p.m., the program will begin will an opening prayer by Father Ron Pollock of St. John's Episcopal Church in Somerville and welcoming remarks by Somerset County Commission Director Shanel Robinson. Jack Rannells will give opening remarks.

Speakers will include former state Sen. Kip Bateman; Maiysha Ware of Somerset Treatment Services; Meg Isbitski, Somerset County's mental administrator; and Detective Stacey Kelly of the Somerset County Prosecutor's Office, who will speak on Operation Helping Hand where law enforcement officers, accompanied by recovery support specialists, engage residents in need by providing on-the-spot referrals to treatment and other resources. 

There will also be a performance of "How Far We've Come," a special song written for the event. Rappers Craft Monroe and Loon will perform.

The evening will end with four speakers, two talking about their recovery and two talking about the loss of their loved ones to addiction.

Jack and Ellen Rannells thanked Somerset County and the Borough of Somerville for making the event possible. "They've been very helpful," Jack said.

Ellen said she hopes the rally will deliver the message that her son wanted to give about the insight he gained through his recovery efforts and spiritual journey. He wanted others to know about the transformational power of Jesus Christ and to help others resist the temptation of experimenting with dangerous substances and, she said, "surrounding yourself with the right people."

But Jack and Ellen say they hope the event will help people realize the prevalence of the problem and while there is no easy fix, recovery is possible.

"People have to deal with the issue," she said.

Email: mdeak@mycentraljersey.com

Mike Deak is a reporter for mycentraljersey.com. To get unlimited access to his articles on Somerset and Hunterdon counties, please subscribe or activate your digital account