Newspaper Coverage Of Drug Abuse In Nigeria: A Study Three Selected News Papers

The purpose of the study was to investigate newspaper coverage of drug abuse in Nigeria. The study sought to provide valuable information on the extent to which the print media has given prominence to drug abuse and suggest recommendations to curb the problem of drug abuse. The objectives of the study sought to assess contributions that have been put forward by print media to stop drug and substance abuse, assess the nature of media coverage in terms of number of articles, their size, article type, placement and prominence, point out weaknesses in the media coverage of the various factors associated with increase in drug abuse scourge and find out the main subject focused on in the articles.

The research used content analysis and the data was analyzed both qualitatively and quantitatively and it involved the use of tables, bar graphs and pie charts aimed at condensing the data collected. In the study, it was found out that drug abuse has not been given prominence by the newspapers in Benue state and this is because most of the articles published were short items and they appeared on the inside page of the newspapers. This means that only a few people read such items. Therefore, the researcher concluded that print media has not given drug abuse prominence. This calls for concerted efforts between key media stakeholders to conduct aggressive campaigns to sensitize the public on drug abuse and its effects. The government should come up with a comprehensive policy on drug abuse.

1.0 Introduction

Drug abuse has since been recognized as global problem that bother every country in the world today. Different nations across the world including Nigerians abuse the use of drugs and large percentage of these users are our youth in various institution of learning. A drug has been define as any substances that when aborted into a living organism may modify one or more of its physiological functions (Croen, Woener, Harm and Reichgott 1997). The term is generally used in reference to a substance taken for therapeutic purpose and as abused substances (Kwamanga, Hiombo and Amukoye, 2003).

United states of America (USA) study further revealed that excessive illicit drug use rate among high school students and young adults increase with age with a prevalence rate 19.60/0 between the age of 18-20 years as indicated in Kwananga, etal (2003). A quotation from the (substance Abuse and mental Health service Administration (SAMHSA) 1997 in the USA.

According to the United Nation Officer on Drugs and Crime (UNODC-Wito,2005 world Drug Report, 2005), some 200million people or 50/0 of the total world"s population age between 1.5 and 64 years have used drugs.

The report further says that no nation has been immune to the devastating effects of the drug abuse. The officer of the national agency for the campaign against drug abuse (NACACA, 2004B) commissioned the first ever national baseline survey on the abuse of alcohol and other drugs in Nigeria in 2001. The study targeted Nigerian youth aged between 10-24 years. The report which was released in 2002 revealed that substances abuse, both illicit and licit was forming a culture amongst Nigerian youth. Drug abuse among the youth especially in secondary schools has endangered their lives and this has caused a lot concern as the vice indeed has been identified as major causes of problems experienced in secondary schools in Nigerian (Gikonyo, 2005). The United Nations international drug control programme (world drug report 2000) ranked Nigeria among the four African nations notorious for either consumption or manufacture of narcotics in the world.

In Nigerian studies have consistently shown that there is considerable prevalence of drugs and substances use, with varying prevalence rate found for both overall and specific drugs and substances abuse (Abdulkarim, Mokuolu and Adeniyi, 2005). According to Adelekan,Makanjuola, Nelom, fayeye and Amusan (2005) student may start using illegal drugs because the drugs are available from their schools. School related factors can also influence students to drug use (Ngesuetal, 2008) how the school administration manages student affairs may led to drug abuse. Prevalence of drug use and abuse are therefore major public health problem in the young adults, especially among the secondary school students.

Previous studies show that more than a fifth (22.7%) of primary school children takes alcohol, and also a figure that rises to more than three-quates (68%) of students at the university or other tertiary learning institution in Nigeria take alcohol (siririgi and waihenaya 2001);ngesuetal (2008) Otieno and Offulla (2009). Therefore, a large number of students across all age groups have been exposed to alcohol, tobacco, miraa, glues sniffing, marijuana and even hard drugs such as heroin and cocaine.

1.1 Background of the study

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 make a study on three selected newspaper on their coverage against drug abuse.

1.1.1 The voice newspaper

The Benue printing and publishing corporation publisher of the voice and Sunday voice newspaper emerged from the defined Benue -plateau printing and publishing corporation and the government printing department.
The Benue state executive council had its conclusion dabet march 3,1977 approved the establishment of the corporation, the establishment was made by the amendment of the Benue plateau printing and publishing corporation edict no 6 of 1972 to the Benue state edict no 1 of 1976.

The responsibility of corporation was to operate news and feature service to encourage good administration, effective promotion and commitment to the interest of Benue people to defend the state its government and its indigenes scurrilous attack from any quarter.

To give publicity to and encourage the art and industries of the state to serve as a forum for a meeting of the mind and exchange of ideas between government and the people, finally to uphold the secularity of the entire nation, the industry engages in the publication of Sunday voice, weekend express, and voice sport apart from the daily edition of the voice and commercial jobs being carry out, the page of now the voice was increased from eight to sixteen and column from four-six while the Sunday voice weekend express and voice sport all published weekly maintain the same pages and column respectively.

At the time of the research the industry publishes only the voice and Sunday voice edition, other are off the newsstand plans were put in place as early as AUGUST 1,1985 to change the status of the corporation to thus of a limited liability company, in 1992 the REV Fr MOSES ADASU administration actualized this dream, however the company never assumed that status and march 14, 1992the company was closed down because the operation of the company was at a loss, staff were retrenched in the process while other were on compulsory leave and yet other willingly resigned their appointment ironically, the edition of the voice newspaper was of the newsstand in march 1995 and reappeared in December, 1996 the daily edition is now published on Wednesday and Friday -weekly while the Sunday voice is published on Sunday the voice have super lithographic until, modern computer section an equipped art studies web and modern printing machine with colour facilities it has also edition and department , which serve as nerve center of the industry or organization other include administration commercial, technical and financial.

Staff strength of the organization is not static at contain period ,they had on heir pay roll 120 staff at other 100.

1.1.2 The Pavilion newspaper

The pavilion newspaper is a privately owned newspaper industry it made its debit in February 1997 having two directors and nine staff with a staff of strength of nine the aimed and objectives of the company is to promote developmental, marketing and production.

The pavilion newspaper is published forth nighty in 16pages and serve column respectively with about 1,00 copies forth nighty, Benue, Taraba, and Nasarawa states are the intended target audience of the young newspaper distribution of the newspaper is done through commercial vehicles it has three freelances and no outsider on its edition board.

The company is currently carrying its printing jobs which include commercial jobs on contract basis to private printer this is to say that the company is yet to acquire its own printing machine it has.

1.2 Statement of research problem

The continuous abuse of drugs lead the researcher to embark on this study, so as to evaluate the extent at which the newspaper media is going about the incidence of drug abuse in the country, their coverage concerning drug abuse and drug addiction.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?

Drug abuse menace has strangle youthful population reducing them to dummies zombies and drooling figure as well as wasting their lives at the age which they are most needed in the society (Ngesu, Ndiku and Masese dangers 2008) Despite the worldwide concern and education about the of drug abuse most of the citizen have limited knowledge of how dangerous the habit is (Ngesuetal 2008).

1.3 Objectives of the study

Main objective

The main objective of this research work is to examine and evaluate the coverage of the newspaper against drug abuse and analysis its impact it has create.

Specific objective

The following are the specific 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 the extent at which the media - newspaper have gone to, in educating and their coverage on drug abuse.

To know if newspapers contribute to drug abuse through advertisement and alcohol promo or not.

1.4 Research questions

The researcher formed some research question which the research work will answer and address in the course of this study.

Do the newspaper 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?

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?

1.5 Significance of the study

This study has important contribution to make in the education of drug abuse among our youths and society in general.

The government and other agencies of education will find this study useful in directing their efforts towards the identified factors with the view of controlling drug abuse among the people of our nation. It will help schools; guidance counselors to identify cases of drug abuse, the associated problem and treatment to be applied.

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.

1.6 Scope of the study

Because of time, geographical locations, fund and other necessary logistics, the study is narrowed down to Benue State and the two selected newspaper as its case study since it is very difficult if not impossible to study all the newspaper production company in the state and across the state.

1.7 Limitation of 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 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.

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

Codeine:

An alkaloid of opium. It has mild analgesic properties, and is often combine with aspirin. Valuable as cough sedative (linctus codcine) in dry and useless cough.

Alkaloid:

Resembling an alkali. A name often applied to a large group of organic basses found in plants and which posses important physiological actions. Morphine, quinine, caffeine, atropine and strychnine are well known examples of alkaloids.

1.9 Organization of Study

The study is divided into five chapters. Chapter one deals with the study"s introduction and gives a background to the study. Chapter two reviews related and relevant literature. The chapter three gives the research methodology while the chapter four gives the study"s analysis and interpretation of data. The study concludes with chapter five which deals on the summary, conclusion and recommendation.

Summary, Conclusions And Recommendations

5.1. Introduction

This chapter provides a brief summary of the study, conclusion and recommendation of the study.

5.2 Summary of the study

The purpose of this study was to determine the extent to which print media has given drug abuse prominence. The research objectives were: To assess contributions that has been put forward by print media to stop drug and substance abuse, to assess the nature of media coverage in terms of number of articles, their size, article type, placement and prominence, point out weaknesses in the media coverage of the various factors associated with increase in drug abuse scourge and find out the main subject focused on in the articles. Data was collected using content analysis. The findings, analysis and interpretations of the data are summarized in chapter four.

5.3 Research findings

The study revealed that drug abuse has not been given much prominence in print media because most of the articles which were covered were short items and they were found in the inside page of the newspapers and this means not many people got a chance to read them. Apart from that, they appeared as news briefs and a lot of details were not given in such occasions.

The study also revealed that the two newspapers have tried to publish drug related issues and the The Pavilion newspaper has a column in health and in this column they discuss various types of drugs. It does not only tackle substances which are abused but also medicines prescribed by the doctors and they also address the effects of these drugs.

Lastly, the finding revealed that some of the articles published especially advertisements looked very attractive and they are packaged well and such can entice people to use drugs especially alcohol. The study also found out that the main subjects focused on in the articles published varied. If it was a news item, it was brief and most of the time the public was just told that some people were caught with a certain amount of bhang or any other drug and were charged in court and the story ends there. This does not give proper details especially what happened to the drugs found. However, when drug articles were written in the health column especially in the The Pavilion newspaper, a lot of information was given like they gave the meaning of the drugs and their side effects. Others were just advertisements which were in form of photos.

5.4 Recommendations

In the light of the findings, the following recommendations were made; firstly, drug abuse articles should be given more prominence by sometimes being covered as headlines because this will attract attention of many people as compared to when they are covered as news briefs because so many people do not take their time to read them. Secondly, the The voice newspaper should also create a column on health like the The Pavilion and through this they will be able to educate many people on various drugs and their effects to the readers" health just like how the The Pavilion newspaper has done. This will give drug abuse prominence and many people will get educated on various drugs and their effects. Thirdly, the two types of newspapers should try and cover more stories on drug abuse and this they can by having a target. For example coming up with the number of articles they can cover in a week or may be a month and they should ensure that it is done according to their timetable or schedule. This will help in sensitization and education of the public hence people will be informed.

Fourth, news reporters or editors should follow up stories on drug abuse and should not give up so that they can establish where drugs come from and where the drugs found with the drug trafficker are taken hence they are able to know the origin of the drugs. Fifth, media stakeholders should conduct aggressive campaigns to sensitize the public on drug abuse and its effects. Lastly, the government should come up with a comprehensive policy on drug abuse, for example giving difficult penalties to those who peddle or use drugs. This will discourage people from getting involved in drugs. The government should also ensure that teachers are trained on drug abuse so that they can give the students adequate and appropriate information on the same because media is not the only channel that can be used to curb drug abuse.

5.5 Suggestions for Further Research

The following are some of the areas that could be considered for further research; to start with, priming of drug abuse in electronic media for example television and radio, another area is whether the nature of reporting of drug abuse issues has changed and finally, if print media helped in the sensitization, education and prevention of drug abuse.

Preliminary Page(s)

Title

Declaration

Approval

Dedication

Acknowledgement

Abstract

Table of Content

Chapter One

1.0 Introduction

1.1 Background of the study

1.1.1 The voice newspaper

1.1.2 The Pavilion newspaper

1.2 Statement of research problem

1.3 Objectives of the study

1.4 Research questions

1.5 Significance of the study

1.6 Scope of the study

1.7 Limitation of the study

1.8 Definition of terms

1.9 Organization of Study

Chapter Two

Review Of Related Literature

2.1. Introduction

2.2. Knowledge on drug abuse

2.2.1 Alcohol

2.2.2 Tobacco

2.2.3 Inhalants

2.2.4 Stimulants

2.2.4.1 Cocaine

2.2.5 Tranquillizers

2.2.6 Marijuana

2.2.6.1 Effects on the brain

2.2.6.2 Effects on the heart

2.2.7 Miraa (Khat)

2.2.7.1 Socio-economic consequences of miraa

2.2.8 Shisha

2.2.9.1 Effects

2.3 Drug processing

2.4 The concept of print media effect

2.5 Media coverage of drug issues in Nigeria

2.6 Theoretical Framework

2.7 Summary

Chapter Three

Research Methodology

3.1 Introduction

3.2 Research Design

3.3 The Sample Size and Sampling Procedure

3.4 Processing and analysis of results

Chapter Four

Data Analysis, Presentation And Interpretation

4.1 Introduction

4.2 Findings of the study

Chapter Five:

Summary, Conclusions And Recommendations

5.1. Introduction

5.2 Summary of the study

5.3 Research findings

5.4 Recommendations

5.5 Suggestions for Further Research

References

• Newspaper Coverage Of 2011 Presidential Election In Nigeria
• Guardian And The Nation Newspapers Coverage Of Development Issues
• Punch And Guardian The Newspapers Coverage Of Terrorism In Nigeria
• Readers Perception Of The Newspapers Coverage Of The 2015 Elections
• Public Perception Of Newspaper Coverage Of Ebola Epidemic Outbreak In Nigeria
• Nigerians Perception Of Newspaper Reportage Or Coverage Of Female Aspirants In Nigerian Politics
• Newspaper Coverage Of Violence In Nigeria

• Mass Communication Project Topics and Materials