IJSRST162567 | Received: 09 Sep 2016 | Accepted: 30 October 2016 | September-October-2016 [(2)5: 285-295] © 2016 IJSRST | Volume 2 | Issue 5 | Print ISSN: 2395-6011 | Online ISSN: 2395-602X Themed Section: Science and Technology 285 Drug Abuse : Implication on National Development in Nigeria: The Role of Mass Media? Touitou Tina. C Department of Mass Communication, Babcock University, Iishan-Remo, Ogun State, Nigeria ABSTRACT The paper focuses on the drug abuse as an impediment to the national development in Nigeria. Drug abuse has become an „ill-wind‟ on the development of the society; this is because the youths, who are the leaders of tomorrow, are the major targets of the abuse of drugs. They are badly affected that some are dropping out of school; while some are in mental institutions and in rehabilitation centres. These call for urgent need of effective use of mass media in eradicating abuse of drug among the Nigerian youths, because the mass media transmit ideas and new information to a target audience. This implies that they are responsible for most of the adjustments in the behavioral pattern of people in the society. Though, media have been accused of brainwashing the adolescent, and creating more awareness through drug advertisement and use of celebrities in use of drug. Research has proved that adolescents observe and listen to drug use, particularly alcohol drinking, being displayed and discussed as a natural and everyday event on the Mass media especially on television. The paper adopted theories such as Agenda Setting Theory, Hypodermic Needle Theory, Personality Theory of Drug Abuse and Learning Theory of Drug Abuse, and employed empirical secondary data. It concluded that the media should be encouraged to develop and enforce adequate standards of conduct regarding their professional competence and their objectivity. It also recommended that, there should be increased attempts to provide more anti-drug messages within entertainment programming. And should uphold professional ethical rules set up through self-regulation, and constantly enhance professionalism and be accountable to the public in the way it informs, educates and entertains. Keywords : Mass Media, Drug Abuse, Agenda Theory, Hypodermic Needle Theory, Personality and Learning theory of Drug abuse. I. INTRODUCTION Drug abuse has taken a toll on development of the society; this is because the youths, who are the leaders of tomorrow, are the major targets of the abuse of drugs. Drugs abuse give rise to dependence both physical and psychological. Dependence gives rise to mental, emotional, biological or physical, social and economic instability. The effects of drug abuse on an individual therefore form the basis for its cumulative effects on the society. The impact of drug abuse among Nigerian youths has been a sigma of a morally bankrupt. The various consequences of the drug abuse or drug addictions are so devastating and very shameful to the image and to the detriment of the national development, to the extend that both the national and international organizations all over the world are also worried about the spread of this scourge among Nigeria youths, These consequences include: Social violence among youths, armed robbery, mental disorder, 419, syndrome, social miscreants (area boys and girls), lawlessness, lack of respect for elders, rape, many more of the social evils (Emmanuel 2014). Drugs have been introduced in several ways by the society; through the homes, peers, schools, even the church and majorly by the mass media. The mass media go beyond the everyday broadcast and also transcends to the transmission via movies and music. Given the paramount position of the entertainment industry as against that of academic pursuit, thereby the youths are more exposed to the danger of drug abuse.