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VOL. 11, ISSUE 5 (2025)
Influence of social media in curbing the menace of drug abuse among youths in South-East, Nigeria
Authors
Odoemela Emmanuel Ugochukwu Apollos
Abstract
This study critically examines the influence
of social media in curbing escalating drug abuse among youths in South-East
Nigeria, where the scourge of psychoactive substance has become a pandemic of
public health and social concern. Specifically, it investigates how social
media touchpoints drive awareness, youth sensitization, and behavioural change
regarding drug use. Grounded in Uses and Gratifications Theory (UGT), the
research explores how youths engage with digital content to satisfy
informational and preventive desires relating to drugs. Using descriptive
survey design with multistage sampling technique, 397 representative samples
aged 15–30 years were selected across the five states of South-East
geopolitical zone. Data analysis was guided by descriptive and inferential
statistical tools, including mean score ranking through the Friedman test and
SPSS version 16. Findings shows that digital media platforms (Facebook and
Instagram) are dominant sources for drug related information (57.93%). Campaign
effectiveness was substantiated by mean scores exceeding 4.0, indicating high
levels of agreement on shifts in perception and behaviour change among youth.
The study identifies key barriers to campaign efficiency as limited internet
access, content fatigue, low creative engagement, insufficient funding, and
weak institutional collaboration among government and civil organizations. The
study concludes that social media potentials in drug prevention communication
among youths is underutilized because infrastructural and operational
shortfalls. And recommends a multi-sectoral and inter-agency approach;
including public and private partnership to create contextual youth-focused
digital content that resonate with them. Stronger synergy between government
institutions, civil society organizations, and digital influencers is critical
for sustaining impactful and scalable social media-driven interventions aimed
at reducing the prevalence of drug abuse among youth.
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Pages:1-11
How to cite this article:
Odoemela Emmanuel Ugochukwu Apollos "Influence of social media in curbing the menace of drug abuse among youths in South-East, Nigeria". International Journal of Humanities and Social Science Research, Vol 11, Issue 5, 2025, Pages 1-11
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