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 Lagos 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.