BNN highlights universities' role in combating drug infiltration

JAKARTA (ANTARA) - The National Narcotics Agency (BNN) has emphasised campuses’ strategic role as ‘civilisation laboratories’ and the primary defence against drug infiltration. “Productive-age groups and academics are the most vulnerable targets to this threat. Among those aged 15-24 (students and university students), the prevalence rate has reached 2.53 percent,” said BNN Chief Commissioner General Suyudi Ario Seto in a statement on Monday. Seto made the remarks during a national seminar titled ‘Agent of Change Against Drugs: Students’ Role in Safeguarding the Nation’s Future’ at Mercu Buana University in Jakarta on Tuesday, 26 May. He noted that drug abuse prevalence in Indonesia has reached 2.11 percent, affecting approximately 4.15 million people. Drugs are increasingly moving covertly through social media, digital transactions, and disguised as modern lifestyle products. In response to the threat of new psychoactive substances (NPS), the BNN is strengthening scientific evidence-based investigations and pushing for stricter regulations, including Minister of Health Regulation No. 15 of 2025, which officially classified etomidate as a Class 2 narcotic by the end of last year. In light of the demographic bonus period (2025-2045), Suyudi warned that the surge in the productive-age population must not turn into a demographic disaster due to drug-related degradation of human resources. Therefore, he outlined five strategic roles for students to implement in the Campus Shine (Drug-Free) movement: literacy advocates, guardians of social circles, promoters of positive activities, digital counter-narrative agents, and policy advocacy partners. He noted that 2045 may seem distant, but time for the nation’s history is short. Thus, he said, Indonesian students will play a crucial role as corporate leaders, public officials, and economic drivers. “Do not sacrifice that bright future for peer pressure or false lifestyles,” he added.