FILM AS A TOOL FOR CAMPAIGN AGAINST DRUG ABUSE IN NIGERIA: A STUDY OF TOPE ALAKE'S NIMBE AND DIMEJI AJIBOLA'S SHANTY TOWN

Drug abuse has been a prevalent issue in the Nigerian society. This issue has gained the attention of a number of individuals and corporate bodies but despite all the attempts made to curb its persistence in the society, it is still very much prominent. Attempts such as organization of symposiums and rallies, aongside provision of therapies, guidance and counselling to individuals who are into the abuse of drugs have been utilized to aid its reduction but this has also been partly successful from its eradication in the society. The problem of the study is in the continuous abuse of drugs in Nigeria despite all attempts to eliminate its trade and abuse from the society. The research adopts the purposive sampling technique in the qualitative research methodology in choosing the primary data. With the help of the concept of Representation as a theoretical framework as proposed by Dudely Andrew, the primary data were content analyzed. The study makes evaluation on the film Nimbe by Tope Alake and Shanty Town by Dimeji Ajibola as its primary data, alongside related publications as ts secondary data to reach its findings. Considering film as an effective medium that aids the propagation of ideology through the unique way in which it frames its subject as seen by a viewer. The research aims at encouraging the use of film alongside other activities to contribute to public awareness about the effects and dangers of drug abuse.The study will be important to both the government,the public and most especially the youths who will be free from all the negative effects attached to the abuse of drugs. The research finds that considering the representational nature of films, individuals learn vicariously of the dangers of drug abuse and consequently desist from it.