Youths and social vices: a critical evaluation of drug addiction in <i>Sweet-Sweet Codeine</i>

The campaign against drug addiction has taken different dimensions in various countries of the world. Nigeria seems to be battling with different shades of social vices that are ravaging its most promising talents, the youths. This study looks at the relationship and ripple effects of social vices and thus, evaluates BBC documentary film, Sweet-Sweet Codeine (2018). Moored in Social Responsibility Media Theory (SRMT), the study uses descriptive and content analysis modalities of qualitative research to evaluate drug addiction among the youths in Nigeria. The article examines how the ‘Say No to Illicit Drug’ campaign can best be supported and the need for activists, campaigners and government to take responsibility and create robust documentary films, jingles and messages that are geared towards educating the populace about the devastating activities that could lead to drug abuse, trafficking and addiction, so that children and young adults can internalise and grow with the message. The study suggests that the youths’ attention could be diverted from drug abuse and addiction by interrogating the dangers of the social vice in more documentary films that would discourage their involvement in such inacceptable act. The energy of the young people could be channelled positively to champion this drive, advocating against drug addiction, drug abuse and, drug trafficking that affect not only their health, productive energy but the environment generally. The researcher, therefore, recommends that the government should utilise the opportunity offered by documentary films to push the campaign against social vices, including drug addiction.