The Use of Digital Media in an Effort to Promote the Activities of the Aceh Provincial National Narcotics Agency (BNNP) as a Way to Prevent Drug Abuse

Abstract

This research examines how messages are managed through digital media by the Public Relations of the Aceh Province National Narcotics Agency (BNNP) regarding messages designed as an effort to prevent drug abuse, especially for the younger generation. The problem of drug abuse has not ended to this day. In Indonesia itself, it has also experienced an increase throughout 2021. The mass media also reports almost every time about the arrests of ordinary people, artists and public figures who are caught in drugs and the arrests of drug dealers in almost all parts of Indonesia, including Aceh. Even Aceh itself, based on the results of a national survey in 2019, is ranked sixth in the level of drug abuse. This is of course also contrary to the sharia image embedded in this province. Of course, various efforts have been made, starting from persuasive prevention to repressive handling, which have been carried out by many parties who have the authority to reduce the number of drug abuse to reduce the number of drug distribution in society, but its presence in society has not ended. One of the methods used in the current digital era to prevent the increase in the number of drug abusers is through the promotion and dissemination of information that educates about the harmful effects of drug use, especially for the younger generation, one of which is using social media which is currently popular and easy to reach targets. Using a qualitative approach, this study found that the messages broadcast on digital media were more about the activities carried out by the BNNP. Meanwhile, in-depth messages that are more suitable for the public who have limited information regarding drugs can be found in podcasts or in face-to-face counseling activities.