ROLE OF MASS MEDIA IN COMBATING DRUG-RELATED CRIME

##plugins.themes.bootstrap3.article.main##

##plugins.themes.bootstrap3.article.sidebar##

Published: Oct 12, 2018

  Kseniya Yurtayeva

  Yevhenia Hladkova

  Alona Shcherbakova

Abstract

The purpose of the paper is to examine the role of mass media in combating drug addiction and drugrelated crime, together with the opportunities of cooperation between the police and the mass media in combating drug-related crime, and the main problems arising from such cooperation. Results of the study allowed us to draw several conclusions. Firstly, we underscore that there is a significant increase in drug consumption, especially among minors and youths. Under these circumstances, a prevention-oriented approach to combating drug-related crime gains a special significance. Secondly, the role of mass media in shaping public perceptions of certain issues, including drugs, makes them a necessary partner for the law enforcement agencies in deterring the spread of drug consumption. Thirdly, there are significant problems arising from the fundamentally different interests of the mass media and the police, which require the latter to seek ways to align their activities. Still, we see cooperation as the only way to succeed, as administrative measures, such as censorship, will be largely counterproductive in the age of high availability of the information. Practical implications of the study lie in the recommendations for the activities of the police aimed at ensuring efficient cooperation with the mass media in organizing informational campaigns, promoting a healthy lifestyle, and discouraging drug consumption. We stress upon the necessity of the well-planned campaign, including not only the careful preparation of the information but also a selection of the most efficient channels of dissemination and setting up of the feedback in order to objectively appraise their results and to allow a certain level of flexibility in adapting and adjusting these campaigns to the circumstances. We also underscore the importance of careful selection of partners in mass media, so that both sides of the partnership have a deep understanding of the issue they are working with. Lastly, we investigate the features of the information campaigns on the local level. Value/originality. The paper provides practical recommendations for setting up an informational campaign aimed at promoting a healthy lifestyle and discouraging drug usage. Additionally, it provides the basis for the further research of the issues of police-mass media cooperation, in counteracting drug-related crimes in particular and in the prevention of antisocial and criminal behaviour in general.

How to Cite

Yurtayeva, K., Hladkova, Y., & Shcherbakova, A. (2018). ROLE OF MASS MEDIA IN COMBATING DRUG-RELATED CRIME. Baltic Journal of Economic Studies, 4(3), 366-371. https://doi.org/10.30525/2256-0742/2018-4-3-366-371
Article views: 498 | PDF Downloads: 1010

##plugins.themes.bootstrap3.article.details##

Keywords

police, mass media, information campaigns, drug-related crime, drug consumption

References

Stratehiia derzhavnoi polityky shchodo narkotykiv na period do 2020 roku (2015). [Strategy of State Policy on Drugs for the Period up to 2020]. Retrieved from: https://www.medsprava.com.ua/news/287-moz-uspishno-vikonuye-plan-zakhodiv-z-realizatsiyi-strategiyi-derzhavnoyi-politiki-shhodo-narkotikiv (in Ukrainian)

Pro Natsionalnu politsiiu (2015). [On the National Police]. Zakon Ukrainy: Vidomosti Verkhovnoi Rady. 2015. № 40-41. St. 379 [Law of Ukraine: Bulletin of Verkhovna Rada. 2015. № 40-41. Art. 379]. (in Ukrainian)

Ukhal A.M., Sheremet A.P. (2001). Narkomaniia: sut i borotba z neiu [Drug Addiction: Essence and Combating It]. Navchalno-dovidkovyi posibnyk. Uzhhorod: Hosprozrakhunkovyi redaktsiino-vydavnychyi viddil upravlinnia u spravakh presy ta informatsii [Educative and Informational Guide. Uzhhorod: Self-accounting editing unit of the Office of Press and Information]. (in Ukrainian)

Prokhorova M.L. (2002). Narkotizm: ugolovno-pravovoe i kriminologicheskoe issledovanie [Drug Addiction: Criminal-Legal and Criminological Research]. SPb.: Yuridicheskiy tsentr Press [St.-Peterburg: Legal centre the Press] (in Russian)

Nehodchenko O.V. (2003). Orhanizatsiino-pravovi problemy zabezpechennia prav i svobod liudyny pid chas rozkryttia zlochyniv, poviazanykh z narkobiznesom [Organizational and Legal Issues of Ensuring Rights and Freedoms of a Person during Investigation of Drug-Related Crimes]. Naukovyi visnyk Yurydychnoi akademii Ministerstva vnutrishnikh sprav: Zbirnyk naukovykh prats. Spetsialnyi vypusk [Scientific bulletin of Legal academy of the Ministry of Internal Affairs: collection of scientific works. Special edition], 1(13): 5-11 (in Ukrainian)

Buhera O.I. (2006). Problemy vykorystannia zasobiv masovoi informatsii dlia zapobihannia zlochyniv sered nepovnolitnikh [Problems of Use of the Mass Media for Preventing Juvenile Crime]: avtoref. dys. na zdobuttia nauk. stupenia kand. yuryd. nauk : 12.00.08 [abstract of doctoral thesis in Specialty 12.00.08]. (in Ukrainian)

Abetka media (2015). [Media Alphabet]. Za zahal. red. V.F. Ivanova; pereklad z nim. V. Klymchenka [under the general editorship of V. F. Ivanov; translation from German V. Klimenko]. Kyiv : Akademiia ukrainskoi presy, Tsentr vilnoi presy [Kyiv: Academy of Ukrainian Press, Centre of Free]. (in Ukrainian)

International Conference on Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. (n.d.) A/RES/42/112. 93rd Plenary Meeting. 7 December 1987. Retrieved from: https://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/Resolutions/resolution_1987-12-07_2.html

Zharovska H.P. (2016). Mizhnarodno-pravovi zasady borotby z transnatsionalnoiu zlochynnistiu: problemy y perspektyvy [International-legal Basis of Combating Translational Crime: Issue and Perspectives]. Retrieved from: http://intlawalmanac.net/v6/13.pdf (in Ukrainian)

Zhurnalistskyi fakh: hazetno-zhurnalne vyrobnytstvo (2012). [Profession of Journalism: Newspaper and Magazine]. Za red. V.V. Rizuna. Kyiv: Vydavnycho-polihrafichnyi tsentr «Kyivskyi universytet» [Kyiv: Editing and polygraphist centre “Kiev University”]. (in Ukrainian)

Predelyi pravovogo prostranstva svobodyi pressyi (rossiyskie sporyi s uchastiem SMI v kontekste mirovoy praktiki) (2008). [Limits of Legal Space For Freedom of the Press (Russian Debate with Participation of the Mass Media in Context of International Practice)] Sbornik statey. Yuristyi za konstitutsionnyie prava i svobodyi. Moskva: Novaya yustitsiya [Collection of articles. Layers standing for constitutional rights and freedoms. Moscow. New jurisprudence]. (in Russian)

Viliam F. (2006). Merezhi i merezhevi viiny: maibutnie teroru, zlochynnosti ta boiovykh dii [Networks and Network Wars: the Future of Terror, Crime and Military Activities]. Informatsiinyi biuleten Mizhvidomchoho naukovodoslidnoho tsentru z problem borotby z orhanizovanoiu zlochynnistiu [Informational bulletin of Interdepartmental scientific research centre on combating organized], 5: 52-61. (in Ukrainian)

Podshivalkina V.I., Levinskiy M.V., Miroshnichenko N.A. (2001). Sotsiotehnologicheskie problemyi borbyi s narkomaniey [Sociotechnological Issues of Combating Drug Abuse]. Sotsialni tekhnolohii. Kyiv [Social technologies. Kyiv], 11: 47-59. (in Russian)

Serdyuk A.A. (2002). Narkotizm i globalnaya set Internet [Drug Addiction and Global Network Internet]. Pravo i bezpeka [Law and Safety], 3, 195-198. (in Russian)