ASSESSING THE INFLUENCE OF SOCIAL MEDIA ON DRUG ABUSE AWARENESS AMONG STUDENTS OF UNIVERSITY OF DELTA, AGBOR.

This study titled "Assessing the Influence of Social Media on Drug Abuse Awareness among Students of the University of Delta, Agbor" Amid increasing concerns about drug abuse within the region highlighted by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) as one of the areas with high incidence this research explores the role social media platforms play on shaping students knowledge and perceptions regarding drug abuse. Employing a descriptive survey design with a mixed-methods approach, data were collected from a sample of 389 students selected through multi-stage sampling from a population of 14,430 undergraduates. Structured questionnaires administered both online and offline yielded a 98.75% response rate. The questionnaire captured demographic information, social media usage patterns, exposure to drug-related content, levels of drug abuse awareness, and the perceived influence of social media. Findings reveal that a majority of students demonstrated high awareness of commonly abused drugs such as marijuana (95.9%), tramadol (90.2%), and codeine (86.5%), although awareness of synthetic drugs was less widespread (47.9%). Approximately 75.4% of respondents encountered drug-related content on social media, predominantly educational and awareness campaigns, while 22.5% reported exposure to content that glamorises drug use. Statistical analysis showed a significant positive correlation between social media usage and drug abuse awareness (r=0.345, p< 0.01), with Instagram and Tiktok identified as the most effective platforms for awareness dissemination. The study concludes that social media is a vital tool in enhancing drug abuse awareness among students, though the presence of pro-drug content necessitates improved counter measures and media literacy. Recommendations include strategic social media campaigns, integration of drug awareness orientation programs, and collaboration with health organisations to ensure credible content delivery. This research contributes to understanding how digital platforms can be leveraged for public health education in Nigerian tertiary institutions.