Exploring the Effectiveness of Anti-Drug Campaigns in Combating and Preventing Drug Abuse among South-East Nigerian University Students

Abstract:

This study x-rayed the effectiveness of anti-drug campaigns in combating and preventing drug abuse among south-east Nigerian university students. Objectives of the study were to identify if the South-East University students were aware of Anti-Drug Abuse Campaigns and to find out the reactions of the students on Anti-Drug Abuse Campaigns. The study was anchored on the Agenda Setting Theory which states that the theory is one of the important roles of the media. It is defined as the process whereby the media determine what we think and worry about. Lippmann (1920), who first observed this, pointed out that the public reacts not to actual events but to the picture in their head. The effect of the agenda-setting is epitomized in Cohen (1963), the press may not as much be successful in telling people what to think, but is stunningly successful in telling its readers what to think about. The methodology adopted in the study was the survey research method, and the sample size was purposively determined, sampling 120 respondents. The major findings revealed that South-East university students are much aware of Anti-Drug Abuse campaigns. It was concluded that the Anti-Drug Abuse campaigns amongst the South-East university students make them hate drug abuse and educate others about its negative effects. It was also recommended that Constant campaigns on Anti-Drug Abuse campaigns should be made in order to educate the students on the negative effects of Drug Abuse in the society as well as in their health conditions and that the use of different media platforms, such as the social media, television, radio, newspapers, magazines, handbills, billboards, as well as the school management and student's union governments in various universities in order to educate, inform and criticize the negative effects of drug abuse to the society and human health respectively.