#DrugDestroyLives

#DrugsDestroyLives

Drug abuse is a public health problem affecting almost every community and family in some way. It also plays a major role in social problems like violence, stress, and child abuse. Pregnant women who engage in this activity harm their unborn babies and the best treatment for drug abuse is to prevent it in the first place. NEWS24 has revealed in its article health24 revealed that drug such as Ecstasy and Speed are commonly used by youngsters and most crimes are committed by people who want to support their drug habits in South Africa.

Social media’s influence on the #DrugDestroyLives campaign

·         User-friendly: social media platforms such as Facebook, twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram are user-friendly and interactive. Public relations practitioners can use these platforms as channels to communicate to the target audience and to pass the message in the intended way. They can have direct connectivity with the prospective clients or their target population.

·         Cost effectiveness: doing online public relations campaigns such as #DrugDestroyLives campaign, using Facebook pages and having Twitter accounts to disseminate information will not cost much. It will be better than renting a venue, paying for décor and so on to campaign.

·         Easy accessibility: social media is easily accessible for those who  have access to technology such as  internet connectivity,

Smartphones and so on. Using social media for this campaign will mean creating awareness to a larger masses since those who were not interested in the campaign may accidentally see posts about it thereby creating an impact.

SAY NO TO DRUGS

Disadvantages of social media to Public relations practitioner in campaigning on # DrugDestroyLives.

·         Difficult to manage: social media engagement can be difficult to manage as those who are highly in to drugs may take the campaign personally. Since some people are satisfied with the lives they live they would not want anyone judging their actions there creating a huge argument on social media.

·         Unwanted messages: can have as fast a distribution as messages you want to distribute. sometimes an individual against the campaign can sabotage it

Recommendations

·         For a successful campaign always know your target audience and put your message in a convincing manner to avoid conflicts

·         Those trying to quit from taking drugs should always by encouraged and motivated by those around them.

·         Rehabilitation centres should be welcoming and strict on their rules in order to help those wanting to quit.

·         More similar campaigns should be organised to get people constantly on the effects of drug abuse.