On May 25^th, 2023, the Cranford Police Department Juvenile Bureau partnered with Cranford High School to present “Jesse’s Journey” for high school sophomores and seniors.  Organized by Toni Anthony, Student Assistance Counselor (SAC) at Cranford High School, this initiative was sponsored by the Cranford Prevention and Wellness Alliance – formerly the Cranford Municipal Alliance – which is group of Cranford volunteers who focus on the health and well-being of Cranford’s youth through educational and outreach opportunities. 

Jesse’s Journey is presented by Maureen Morella and her son Jesse Morella.  Jesse suffered severe and irreversible brain damage after a drug overdose in November 2004 and survives today as a person with quadriplegia.  Mrs. Morella bluntly and passionately uses Jesse’s story to focus children on the tragic consequences one bad decision with drugs or alcohol can create.  The Prevention and Wellness Alliance consistently sponsors annual educational opportunities for graduating Cranford High School seniors in the hopes of enhancing students’ understanding of substance abuse and its negative effect in decision-making.

“Jesse’s Journey” was complemented with a brief presentation by Detectives Matthew Siessel and Brian Trotter of the Police Juvenile Bureau where they detailed local trends in opioid overdoes in Cranford and the dangers of fentanyl.  Students were educated about New Jersey’s Hold Harmless Law in which individuals who call 9-1-1 to help an overdose victim have immunity from arrest.  In addition to this initiative, the Juvenile Bureau was recently on hand at Senior Night to discuss responsible decision-making ahead of the prom and summer season. 

Chief Ryan J. Greco thanked the Prevention and Wellness Alliance and the Cranford Public Schools for allowing educational opportunities involving substance use disorder at Cranford High School annually.  “In addition to thanking our partners in the Cranford Prevention and Wellness Alliance, I want to thank Principal Mark Cantagallo and SAC Toni Anthony from Cranford High School for allowing the Morella’s story to be told in an effort to keep Cranford’s students safe from substance use disorder,” he said. 

For more information on the Prevention and Wellness Alliance, visit ourbestcranford.org.

Photo:  Left to right, SAC Toni Anthony, Detective Matthew Siessel, Mr. Jesse Morella, Mrs. Maureen Morella and Detective Brian Trotter.