Centre Seeks Partnership With Media Over Illicit Drugs

Centre for Research and Information on Drugs Abuse (CRISA) has expressed concerns about the crippling socio-economic effects of illicit drug use and trafficking in Nigeria and extended a hand of fellowship to the media in the fight to mitigate the menace.

At the just-concluded conference with select media practitioners in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, the centre lamented the prevailing global drug situation and stressed the need for a holistic strategy with the media community to curb the problem.

The participants presented papers giving an overview of the drug situation in Nigeria, Akwa Ibom State and globally, noting that effective communication using palatable language could dissuade those vulnerable to illicit drug use to desist.

A communique at the end of the meeting over the weekend stressed the importance of language in communicating substance use issues.

The programme manager, Nsidibe Francis, who read the communique, explained that “the language used intimately defines the persons being described and can affect their self-perception.”

“Journalists and communicators should ethically and responsibly communicate drug-related issues to avoid perpetuating the problem. The media is recognised as a crucial change agent in altering the current narratives that stigmatise people with drug use disorders.

“Therefore, the language used to communicate drug use can either edify, demean, or dehumanise individuals, and can sometimes exacerbate or reduce the problem.

“Language shapes perceptions and attitudes and can have real-life impacts on social interactions. It conveys stereotypes and biases, which can make people feel unsafe, unwanted, unwelcome, and rejected,” he said.