A perceptual analysis of Owerri Boss Radio Drug Sensation Campaign against Hard Drug Use and its effects on Owerri Youths

Abstract

The researchers in this study sought to find out the behavioural effect of radio drug sensitisation campaigns on Owerri youth's perception and behaviour. This study was anchored on the health belief theory. This study employed a survey research design and used the questionnaire as the instrument for data collection. The population of 589,564 was used to represent Owerri Metropolis residents. Wimmer and Dominick online sample size calculator was used to arrive at a sample size of 384. The purposive and multistage sampling techniques were employed in the study. Finding gotten from the study revealed that Owerri residents are exposed to Boss FM radio campaign against hard drug at a high level. Finding as well showed that at an average mean score of 3.2 that radio campaign against hard drug has had a positive effect on Owerri youth's behaviour; they no longer use or abuse drugs, now sensitize others against hard drug use or abuse, as well as now choose sane friends who are not drug users. Based on the finding, it was concluded that hard drugs should be universally avoided by young people and all other drug users in Nigeria, since they have a serious negative effect on everyone who uses them, not just the victim or addict. The researchers recommend that drug enforcement authorities need to be proactive in ensuring the success of anti-drug addiction campaigns and should have a treatment plan in place for willing drug addicts who want to stop using drugs.