Drug Abuse : Implication on National Development in Nigeria: The Role of Mass Media?

Abstract

The paper focuses on the drug abuse as an impediment to the national development in Nigeria. Drug abuse has become an ‘ill-wind’ on the development of the society; this is because the youths, who are the leaders of tomorrow, are the major targets of the abuse of drugs. They are badly affected that some are dropping out of school; while some are in mental institutions and in rehabilitation centres.  These call for urgent need of effective use of mass media in eradicating abuse of drug among the Nigerian youths, because the mass media transmit ideas and new information to a target audience. This implies that they are responsible for most of the adjustments in the behavioral pattern of people in the society.  Though, media have been accused of brainwashing the adolescent, and creating more awareness through drug advertisement and use of celebrities in use of drug. Research has proved that adolescents observe and listen to drug use, particularly alcohol drinking, being displayed and discussed as a natural and everyday event on the Mass media especially on television. The paper adopted theories such as Agenda Setting Theory, Hypodermic Needle Theory, Personality Theory of Drug Abuse and Learning Theory of Drug Abuse, and employed empirical secondary data. It concluded that the media should be encouraged to develop and enforce adequate standards of conduct regarding their professional competence and their objectivity. It also recommended that, there should be increased attempts to provide more anti-drug messages within entertainment programming. And should uphold professional ethical rules set up through self-regulation, and constantly enhance professionalism and be accountable to the public in the way it informs, educates and entertains.