35 Indiana schools and counting to participate in National Drug Facts Week

Sam’s Watch achieves goal to boost participation  

INDIANAPOLIS — Thirty-five Indiana schools plan to participate so far in the 2015 National Drug Facts Week, up from only two schools that did so in 2014.

The increase is the result of efforts by Sam’s Watch to assist Indiana schools to participate in the awareness campaign, which aims to get science-based information about drugs and their effects out to teens.  

“With 35 Indiana schools participating and sign up still ongoing, more than 26,000 Hoosier students will have access to accurate information to encourage them to make good, informed decisions,” said Jeanine Motsay, president of Sam’s Watch.

Sam’s Watch is a nonprofit formed by Ms. Motsay after her 16-year-old son Sam died from using a little-known synthetic drug targeted at teens. The organization collaborated with the National Institute on Drug Abuse, part of the National Institutes of Health, to urge Indiana schools to participate in the drug facts week.  

National Drug Facts Week takes place Monday, Jan. 26, through Sunday, Feb. 1. Schools working with Sam’s Watch will receive assistance in registration, assemblies, parent meetings and communications, including posters. They will also be entered into a school drawing for a $1,000 donation in memory of Sam Motsay.  Sam’s Watch is also sponsoring a student contest, with mini-iPad prizes for best entries about “Shatter the Myths” of drug use and addiction.  

For a full list of Indiana schools participating, go to the Sam’s Watch website: samswatch.org.  Any school interested in participating in National Drug Facts Week with Sam’s Watch assistance may contact the organization by email, info@samswatch.org, or phone, 888-575-1015 or sign up directly at the Sam’s Watch website.