Abstract
The research examined The Role of Punch Newspaper
in Creating Awareness against Drug Abuse” (A case study of Selected Residents
in Lagos Nigeria).However, mass media especially newspaper have the power to
influence the feelings and attitude of people while it also help in solving
social problems which drug/substances abuse is one. Advertising messages and
commercials in newspaper can persuade and convince people to buy a wide range
of products and services by influence behaviour. Survey research method was
adopted to select respondents within
state and One hundred and twenty (120) copies of questionnaire were
administered to the selected respondents. Findings shown that Majority of the
respondents were aware of what drug abuse is all about through mass media and
friends. Almost all the respondents have one way or the other abuse drug or
substance and the abuse it usually frequent that is why the degree of drug
abuse in our society is very high. The Punch newspaper and other mass media
educate and enlighten people on the dangers in drug abuse. It is recommended
that National and International Health Organisations should banned media
advertisement and publicity of substances and drug like tobacco cigarette,
alcohol and other harmful drinks. While mass media should design specially
campaign to create awareness on the negative effects of abuse.
CHAPTER
ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background to the Study
Mass media have been a major agent of
socialization and tool for social change especially now that people depend on
message from mass media. The potential power of the mass media help solve
social problems. television, radio and print advertising can entice people to
buy a wide range of products and services, and newspaper messages and
advertisement influence our ideas, values and behaviour.
According to conventional wisdom, it
could be possible to use mass communications to get people to act on behalf of
their own health and well-being or to do right things. Based on this
assumption, since World War II, the federal, state and local governments,
private foundations and other non-governmental organizations have sponsored
hundreds of public service campaigns to promote social rather than commercial
“goods” (DeJong and Winsten, 2000).
It is not surprising, then, that
prevention advocates would look to the mass media as an important aid in
addressing the problem of high-risk drinking in society. Some advocates have
pushed for reform or other restrictions on alcohol advertising. Others have
sought to influence entertainment producers to end the glorification of
high-risk drinking on newspaper, magazine, television and in the movies (, 2009). More
recently, prevention advocates have produced a small number of media campaigns
designed to change students and youth knowledge, attitudes and behavior.
Most media campaigns focused on
college students drinking which have been campus based, using a mix of posters,
flyers, electronic mail messages and college newspaper advertisements. More
recently, a few regional, state and national media campaigns have begun to
address this issue as well.
Therefore, this study is out to
examine the mass media especially the print in creating awareness against drug
abuse.
1.2 Statement of the Problem
The continuous abuse of these
drugs has lead to a situation of drug addiction and the addict developing a
bondage to the drug.
The effects of drug abuse is
detrimental not only to the individual but to the society as a whole. Yet this
problem is on the increase especially among those in higher institution of
learning. Which is a serious threat to our national sanctity.
How well can print media as a vehicle
for information dissemination be relied upon to perform its role in the
society, to join hand in the battle against drug abuse?
How can the power of the mass media be
used effectively to reduce high-risk drinking among people? To explore that
question, this research begins by reviewing three types of mass media campaigns
focused on drinking: information, social norms marketing, and advocacy.
Theses and many more
questions is what the study is out to find answers to.
1.3 Research Questions
¨
Does the Punch educate and enlighten the
general public on drug abuse?
¨
Has mass media awareness campaign on drug
abuse reduced the unlawful
use of drug in society?
¨
Is mass media faced with any difficulty in
creating awareness on drug abuse?
¨
Does newspaper promote drug abuse through
advertisement and alcohol promo?
¨
Does newspaper educate and enlighten the
general public on the bad
effects of drug abuse?
1.4 Objectives of the Study
- To
examine whether newspapers educate and enlighten the general public on
drug abuse? - To
know if newspapers awareness campaign on drug abuse have reduced the
unlawful use of drug in our society? - To
know if there is problem facing the mass media in creating awareness on drug abuse? - To
know if newspapers contribute to drug abuse through advertisement and
alcohol promo? - To
examine if mass media present adequate information on the effect of drug
abuse to the people in society?
1.5 Significance of the Study
This research will benefit different
people, organization, and government and other agencies especially the youth.
This studyhas
important contributionto make in the education of drug abuse among our
youths and society in general.
Drug abuse has lots of effects on the
health of the nation. There is a danger of the waste of ’s next
generation if the best Nigerian youth is consumed by an addiction that will
leave effects on the economy.
The national security implication will
be disastrous, hence the need for the media to intensity their role with
various organization like the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and
National Food and Drug Administration and Control (Nafdac) to combat this scourge in all its ramification.
Government through the National Broadcasting
Commission (NBC) will benefit from the study to know the harmful effect of
media drama showing lots of drinking and alcoholic programme, advert and
marking on print media to the society.
Media practitioners and students of
mass communication will equally benefit from the study to understand fully on
the dangers in drug advertisement.
1.6 Scope of the Study
Because of time, geographical
locations, fund and other necessary logistics, the study is narrowed down to
Lagos State residents as a case study since it is very difficult if not
impossible to study all the people across all the state of federation and that
is why Lagos State is selected.
1.7 Limitation to the Study
Wide research of this nature cannot be
carried out without some constraints, this constraints pose a lot of
limitations to this work.
¨
Duration
for the research work is relatively short.
¨
Stress
emanated from other academic activities is also another constraints.
¨
Little
materials are also available because the work is relatively new.
¨
Financial
constrain poses another challenges.
¨
Most
information is gathered through newspapers and internet.
1.8 Definition of the Terms
Role: It is a function or
contribution of print media in curbing abuse of drug in society.
Newspaper: It a periodical publication for
dissemination of information against drug abuse.
Creating Awareness: It means various effort by the
print media in curbing drug abuse in the
society.
Drug: It refers to different forms of
tables in liquid and capsules or substances like cocaine, india-hemp e.t.c use
for treatment of illness and related body problems.
Drug Abuse: Is means when people use drugs
or substances either liquid, tablet, injection or inhale it in amount or with
methods neither approved or nor supervise by medical professionals e. t. c