Mountain Top University Library

This study is an effort at exploring the perceived effectiveness of electronic media in combating drug abuse in Lagos and Ogun states. The mass media perform informative and educative functions through campaigns against societal vices, hence the expectations that they should discourage environmental pollution. The study having reviewed the current literature on the subject, investigates the perception of young people, especially students of institutions of higher learning in Lagos and Ogun states, on the effectiveness of electronic media in combating drug abuse in Nigeria. The researcher employed the survey research method, with questionnaires used as the primary instrument of data collection, with a sample drawn among students from the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta and the University of Lagos, Akoka. The gathered data was analysed using simple inferential statistics. The study revealed that apart from the fact that young people take to drug mostly due to peer pressure, the most heard of all the drugs by most of the respondents is Cocaine. In addition, young people who consume radio and/or television content are more likely to hear about drugs and drug problems on television. However, it is perceived that the media is not doing enough in educating the general public on drug abuse, even though the media is not hindered in any way from carrying out this duty. Lastly, it is perceived that the media is not presenting adequate information on drug abuse to the general public. The study recommends among other things that the media should increase its efforts in educating the public about the dangers of drug abuse; investigative sources and distribution channels of illicit drugs and partner with policy makers and regulators on enacting and implementing laws that will help reduce the lure for illicit drugs use.