THE ROLE OF MEDIA POLICY IN COMBATING DRUGS (A STUDY OF MECHANISMS)

• Ibtisam Hatem Alwan

  College of Political Science, Mustansiriyah University, Iraq

• Abdul Sattar Ghaib

  Anbar Provincial Council, Iraq

Objective: This study examines how media policy can contribute to preventing drug use through accurate information, attitude formation, social-norm correction, treatment referral, and institutional coordination. Method: Using a narrative review and policy-analysis approach, the study synthesizes literature on media governance, psychoactive substances, mass-media campaigns, digital communication, stigma, and prevention evaluation. Results: The analysis shows that media interventions are more consistently associated with gains in knowledge, risk perception, and help-seeking awareness than with direct and sustained reductions in drug use. Their preventive value depends on audience segmentation, cultural relevance, credible messengers, non-stigmatizing language, cross-sector coordination, accessible support services, and evaluation at formative, process, outcome, and impact levels. Novelty: Media policy should therefore be treated as one component of an integrated prevention system rather than as a stand-alone solution.

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