Media And Substance Abuse Proliferation In Islamabad, Pakistan

Abstract

This research was carried out to explore how the media is instrumental in the rise of substance abuse in Pakistan. Media takes the center stage in strengthening appeal towards commodities and services. In times of boredom and adversity, one often turns to practices that can actually harm their physical, psychological, financial and social life. Drugs and illicit substances which provide the illusory escape from the woes of life, are oftentimes the earliest resort in challenging times.   The current study was conducted in Islamabad: the capital of Pakistan. The data were collected from 135 participants who were under specific treatment plans in various rehabilitation centers. The conceptual framework contains “Media Influence” as the independent variable, and “Substance Abuse” as the dependent variable. Chi Square test was used to determine the association between both variables. The results of the study substantiate the assertion that media influence leads to a burgeoning rise in substance abuse by revealing a highly significant association between the independent and dependent variable. While testing the statement whether media influence results in the rise of substance abuse, a highly significant association was found. The study proposes that the tide of substance abuse that is wreaking havoc upon society must be stemmed at the earliest. It has become considerably easy to obtain drugs in the localities of Pakistani cities, owing to a multitude of factors. Media is one of the core factors responsible for the rampant harmful exercise. A multi-pronged strategy must be employed to put an end to the illegal purveying of drugs and also to the miseries it has caused.