BNN Urges Students to Become Frontline in Narcotics Prevention

The National Narcotics Agency (BNN) is working to encourage university students to become the frontline in narcotics prevention. BNN Chief Commissioner General Dr (HC) Suyudi Ario Seto conveyed this during a National Public Lecture at Majalengka University (UNMA), West Java. ‘All students can become the foremost agents of prevention, agents of change, social control, and agent leaders,’ Suyudi stated on Thursday (6/8/2026). He entrusted the entire academic community with several key messages. The first was to make the campus a safe space. ‘The campus must be a place where students feel heard, accompanied, and guided. Counselling services, mental health education, and student activities must be integrated,’ he said. Secondly, he emphasised making students pillars of prevention. According to Suyudi, peer-to-peer messaging and understanding among fellow students are far more effective than formal lectures. ‘Therefore, students can become peer educators, community mobilisers, creators of educational content, and guardians of a healthy social environment,’ he added. His third message was to utilise the Tri Dharma of Higher Education. Through education, campuses can build an anti-narcotics curriculum. ‘Through research, campuses can help the government understand patterns of youth vulnerability, digital impacts, and the effectiveness of prevention programmes. Through community service, the academic community can go to villages, schools, communities, and family environments to strengthen resilience,’ Suyudi explained. Fourth, he urged students to safeguard the digital space, noting that today’s students live in a digital ecosystem. Lastly, he stressed the importance of character building, stating that intelligence without character only produces individuals who easily succumb to temptation. ‘A strong character is built from discipline, responsibility, the courage to say no, the ability to lead one’s environment, and the awareness that life must have a purpose greater than today,’ he said. Suyudi added that he hopes UNMA will seize the opportunity to become part of the ‘Bersinar’ (Clean from Drugs) campus programme. ‘I believe that from Majalengka University, a young generation will emerge that is not only intelligent but also resilient, not only articulate but also capable of working, and not only pursuing degrees but ready to contribute. This is the declaration of Indonesia’s young generation towards 2045,’ he stated. The event was also attended by the Vice Regent of Majalengka Dena Muhamad Ramdhan, Chairman of the Majalengka DPRD Didi Supriadi, Transmedia Director Latif Harnoko, local government officials, students, and the general public. The national public lecture was supported by Bank Mandiri, as part of the Danantara ecosystem, in an effort to support the development of Indonesia’s human resources, particularly the younger generation.