ROLES OF RADIO IN COMBATING DRUG ABUSE AMONG UNIVERSITY STUDENTS

The researcher in this work focused on the roles of Radio Nigeria, Enugu in combating drug abuse among University Students. To achieve this aim, research objectives were constructed to guide the researcher in her study. Survey research method was used for the study. The population was the students of Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Agbani campus, and this made it possible for the researcher to select an appropriate sample size of 320 respondents. Using the questionnaire, the researcher was able to study the population. The researcher was able to find out that Radio Nigeria, Enugu plays a huge role in combating drug abuse among University Students. The study therefore recommends that Radio Nigeria (FRCN) through its campaign programmes has really impacted positively in combating drug abuse among University Students and youths.

Communication dates back many centuries ago, right from the wall to the present use of scientific and methodical approaches in different spheres of human pre-occupation opportunities in an orderly target and result oriented manner.

Mass communication media are made up of print and electronic/broadcast media. However, Radio will be our main focus on this work. Radio is a medium of communication which is established for the promotion of economic development with a maximum coverage. Radio is also established for enhancement of educational development, stimulation of political participation and arousing National security.

Radio is the one of the most dramatic medium with a high audience reach both in the urban and rural areas respectively. Radio coverage is no less than 90 percent effective, the use of vernacular language to convey message makes radios a very flexible, portable and available medium, it is also inexpensive.

Every government, no matter its policy recognizes role of the media in combating drug abuse. Undoubtedly radio makes a greater contribution towards societal improvements, so with this in mind and the features already mentioned above, it can rightly be said that radio is the hub that holds the wheel of society together and it has a role to play in combating the various scourge that afflicts man today and one of such problem that has threatened the existence of man is drug abuse.