"Let us all come together in peace, understanding, and love in the midst of a war that is raging upon the bodies, minds,
and souls of those precious to us. Let us act before we lose one more son, daughter, friend, relative, or neighbor."
Jackson Rannells - Not An Easy Fix's founder
NOT AN EASY FIX has lost a long-time friend and faithful committee member. Our hearts and minds are heavy with the news and shock of Ian Bockus’s passing on 9/18/24. His big smile, his kind soul, his wit, his creativity, his loyalty, and his desire to make this world a better place…all these things about him will be missed…and we grieve along with his loving mom Phyllis. The last time we spoke with Ian it was a wonderful positive conversation. He was telling us about how he was doing, his plans, his job, how he was getting a car soon…and how he was trying to help other friends do better. At the end, he said “it’s not just about only being friends anymore, it’s about being family”. We will support each other through this and never forget.
We love you Ian!
We are grateful to have been designated by Ian’s mom to receive your donations in Ian’s memory. NOT AN EASY FIX will use them to support its mission of spreading awareness about the opioid epidemic & fentanyl crisis to hopefully save lives.
IN LOVING MEMORY OF IAN BOCKUS
FOREVER 33
CUSICK'S FUNERAL HOME
80 Mountain Ave., Somerville
Sunday, 9/29/24
2 pm - Visitation
5 pm - Service by Fr. Ron Pollock
... or checks may be mailed to Not An Easy Fix c/o 3 Bridle Path Ln., Hampton, N.J. 08827
NOT AN EASY FIX held its ...
2nd "Night of Community, Honoring, & Healing"
​​Sunday, August 18, 6-8:30 pm
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Combat & Rise above the opioid & fentanyl crises impacting communities
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Raise Awareness & Hope about the stigma and disease of addiction
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Remember & Honor loved ones lost to substance use
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Despite the rain, NAEF's August 18th Event was a memorable night! We are grateful for the support of our local area organizations, community & recovery speakers, 'Moments for Memories' participants, live artists and all those in attendance at Somerville HS's auditorium. To see photos, click on our Events Page.
COMING TO A SCHOOL NEAR YOU IN 2024!
Not An Easy Fix & DJ Choices bringing a 'mind blowing’ sight & sound school assembly
with impactful messages about dangerous substances and addiction awareness
throughout Somerset County NJ.\To inquire about bringing the program to your school, contact us at info@notaneasyfix.org
October 17, 2023 - North Plainfield High School - over 600 students in attendance
Many thanks to Principal Krouse, Student Assistance Counselor Justina Mazzella,
NPHS Teachers & Staff, and the North Plainfield Municipal Alliance for their support!
March 23, 2023 - Somerville High School - over 1,000 students in attendance
Many thanks to Principal Foley, the Somerville Board of Education, and the Borough of Somerville for their support
WHO WE ARE
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We are a group of concerned citizens bringing to light the horrific effects and devastation that opioids, fentanyl, and other addictive substances have caused and are continuing to cause throughout our beautiful communities. We want to offer support, direction, and hope. We acknowledge addiction is ‘not an easy’ journey, but ‘there is always hope’ and many ‘fixes’ that can be tried and applied to potentially change the course of a life. We will address the issues and solutions to help make a difference.
OUR MISSION
Our objective is to improve the health and wellness of our loved ones, families & communities by:
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Educating and Raising Awareness about the Opioid Epidemic and Fentanyl Crisis
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Advocating and Taking Action against the Stigma of the Disease of Addiction
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Providing Resource Information for Prevention of and Recovery from Substance Use Disorder
WHAT WE WILL DO
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Present Live Events – We will host community gatherings throughout the year to learn, to grow, to support each other, to celebrate those in recovery and to remember those we have lost.
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Share on Social Media - We will use various media platforms to increase awareness and bring strength in numbers.
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Form Community Partnerships - We will build effective alliances with other area organizations to tackle this cause together.
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Create a Photo Memorial – An ongoing photo wall of our loved ones will be displayed on our website and at events to honor their lives.
WHY WE MUST ACT !
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Over 294 people die every day from opioid overdoses in the U.S. There were 109,000 overdose deaths last year in 2022.
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2,892 people died in New Jersey of drug overdoses in 2022, with most linked to the synthetic opioid fentanyl.*
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Every 5 minutes someone dies from Fentanyl 'poisoning' in the U.S.
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Fentanyl has been found in heroin, cocaine, meth, ecstasy, marijuana, and counterfeit pills appearing identical to prescription medication e.g. Oxycontin, Percocet, Xanax, Adderall, etc.
N.J. Overdose Update
Jan-Dec 2022
2,892 deaths
N.J. overdose death rate per 100,000 residents is 53.14% higher
than the national average.
Today, fentanyl is the leading
cause of death in the U.S.
for adults ages 18-45
How Did NOT AN EASY FIX Begin?
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In early 2018, Not An Easy Fix’s founder, Jackson Rannells, came up with a vision for a needed community healing and honoring event promoting addiction awareness that would include speakers, resource tables, music, a memorial photo wall and candlelight vigil for those loved ones from his community that had passed. He also dreamed of reaching youth by producing multi-media assemblies at local schools to deliver effective messages against substance abuse.
To read more about Jackson's personal story
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