Abstract
Drug trafficking and abuse present profound challenges to Nigeria’s public health, education, family cohesion, national security, and economic stability. Recognized as a significant player in the global drug trade, Nigeria continues to grapple with the far-reaching consequences of this menace. Despite the deployment of conventional countermeasures, the pervasive and evolving nature of drug-related crimes demand innovative approaches. This paper critically examines the growing intersection of drug trafficking, abuse, and social media, a platform whose unprecedented accessibility, extensive reach, and real-time communication capabilities offer both challenges and opportunities. The paper explores the strategic utilization of social media as a complementary mechanism to existing enforcement and prevention frameworks. It argues for the deployment of social media in raising public awareness through targeted anti-drug campaigns, facilitating intelligence gathering to identify and monitor drug peddlers, and encouraging public reporting of illicit activities. Furthermore, the paper underscores the potential of social media to foster community engagement and enhance the efficacy of law enforcement agencies in their mandate to curtail drug-related crimes. The paper concludes by advocating for the integration of social media strategies into Nigeria’s broader anti-drug policy framework, emphasizing its role as a transformative tool for prevention, enforcement, and societal mobilization. By leveraging the dynamic capabilities of social media, Nigeria can strengthen its efforts to combat drug trafficking and abuse, thereby promoting a safer, healthier, and more secure society.
Keywords: Drug Abuse, Drug law enforcement, Drug Trafficking and Social Media in Nigeria.