Sam's Watch teams with National Institute on Drug Abuse to boost National Drug & Alcohol Facts Week participation in Indiana and Kentucky schools

INDIANAPOLIS — Sam’s Watch is collaborating with the National Institute on Drug Abuse, part of the National Institutes of Health, to encourage Indiana and Kentucky middle and high schools to participate in National Drug & Alcohol Facts Week. 

Sam’s Watch is a nonprofit organization started in 2014 after 16-year-old Sam Motsay died from using a little-known synthetic drug. Sam’s Watch provides Saving Alert Messages on the evolving drug dangers threatening young people.

“This is the second year that Sam’s Watch will be participating with the National Institute on Drug Abuse.  National Drug & Alcohol Facts Week provides an opportunity for young people to get science-based information about drugs and their effect on the body,” said Jeanine Motsay, Sam’s mother and president of Sam’s Watch. “But that can happen only if schools participate. I urge students and parents to encourage their school leaders to participate in National Drug Facts Week. It will save lives.”

The evidence-based health observance takes place Monday, Jan. 25, through Sunday, Jan. 31. Schools working with Sam’s Watch will receive assistance in registration, poster campaigns, assemblies and parent meetings as well as communications and education.  Sam’s Watch will select a participating school in each state to receive a monetary award to support further school activities like drug prevention and awareness. 

Today’s announcement will be followed by Sam’s Watch outreach to schools across these states.  Any school seeking Sam’s Watch assistance to participate in National Drug & Alcohol Facts Week can contact the organization by email, info@samswatch.org, or phone, 317-223-1161, or sign up directly at the Sam’s Watch web site: http://www.samswatch.org/2016NDAFW                 

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