Using Interactive Television Instruction (ITV) to Reduce the Propensity to Engage in Substance Abuse and Drug Trafficking Among Vulnerable Adolescents in Nigeria.

This study investigated the effectiveness of interactive television instruction (ITV) in reducing the propensity for substance abuse and drug trafficking among 517 vulnerable Nigerian adolescents aged 10–19 years. Using a quasi-experimental design with randomly assigned control and treatment groups, the research found that participants exposed to the ITV intervention showed a significant decrease in their likelihood to engage in both substance abuse and drug trafficking compared to those who did not receive the intervention. The intervention, developed by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, consisted of eight one-hour episodes delivered over four weeks and demonstrated a larger effect in reducing drug trafficking propensity than substance abuse. Although some relapse was observed during a six-month follow-up, the study supports ITV as a promising behavior change strategy for vulnerable youth and highlights the role of new technologies in addressing social challenges.