Modern Prevention: The Role of Virtual Media in Addiction Prevention in Cyber Space

Objective: The attractiveness and expansion of the virtual space among strata of society and the functions of this platform in the commission of drug offenses have prompted authorities to take advantage of this context to develop drug prevention programs. Of course, the functions of this space at the present moment are considered among the effective factors in the tendency towards addiction and drug use. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of virtual media (cyberspace) in preventing drug addiction among various strata of society in the form of developing a functional model. Method: The present study employed a descriptive-analytic method where a survey was carried out using a researcher-constructed questionnaire for the purpose of data collection. The statistical population of the study included experts and drug control police officers of Law Enforcement Force of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Iranian Cyber Police, and related organizations. According to Cochran formula, 56 sample units were selected by simple random sampling method. Results: The results indicated that virtual space and responsibility, virtual space and social participation, virtual space and awareness-raising, virtual space and specific productions, and, finally, virtual space and management can respectively play a significant role in the prevention of drug addiction. Conclusion: The findings of this study can be regarded as an important step for explaining cyber squat addiction prevention methods and as a suitable model for designing comprehensive drug addiction prevention programs in cyberspace.