Studium Generale Highlights Countermeasures and Prevention of Psychotropic Drug Abuse in Campus Environment
BANDUNG, itb.ac.id — Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB) hosted a Studium Generale on Wednesday (18/10/2023) at the West Hall, focusing on the crucial topic of "Countermeasures and Prevention of Psychotropic Drug Abuse in the Campus Environment." The lecture featured Brigadier General of Police M. Arief Ramdhani, S.I.K., the Head of the National Narcotics Agency of West Java Province (BNNP West Java), and was attended by ITB students and academic staff.
Arief Ramdhani began the lecture by emphasizing the importance of a proactive stance in the "war on drugs" among students. He underscored three key attitudes essential in this battle: the courage to refuse, the courage to rehabilitate, and the courage to report.
"Dare to refuse is a manifestation of students who have the power to reject invitations or negative influences in relationships that will certainly damage the future due to drug abuse," stated Arief.
Addressing the significance of the "dare to refuse" attitude, he explained that it represents the students' ability to decline invitations or negative influences that could harm their future. Furthermore, he highlighted the importance of having the courage to opt for rehabilitation for students ensnared in narcotics abuse.
"I underline the importance of daring to rehab my fellow students. If there are relatives or friends who are victims of narcotics abuse, let us together encourage them to undergo rehabilitation," added Arief.
The Head of West Java BNNP encouraged students to report any indications or suspicions of drug trafficking in their campus or social environments. This collaborative effort aims to protect individuals, families, and friends from the dangers of narcotics.
Arief also provided insights into the drug emergency situation in Indonesia and BNNP's role in combating drug abuse. He emphasized that narcotics constitute an extraordinary crime adversely affecting human life. Indonesia is currently in a state of drug emergency, classified as a national priority.
The lecture also delved into the development of psychotropic drugs, including new types such as New Psychoactive Substances (NPS). Unregulated substances like Kratom have raised concerns due to their adverse effects, prompting collaborative efforts by BNNP to uncover and crack down on NPS abuse.
Discussing BNNP's strategy in addressing narcotics issues, the speaker highlighted both "soft power" approaches involving prevention, community empowerment, and rehabilitation, as well as "hard power" approaches in eradication. Arief stressed the importance of cooperation between various institutions and stakeholders in the collective effort to combat drug abuse.
In the context of rehabilitation, he reassured students and the public not to fear the rehabilitation process. He emphasized that rehabilitation is a crucial step in helping individuals recover from drug abuse, providing them with a renewed chance at life.
Through this Studium Generale, ITB aimed to raise awareness within the academic community about the perils of drug abuse, fostering a collective commitment to the "war on drugs" and contributing to the creation of a superior and drug-free young generation in Indonesia.
Reporter: Iko Sutrisko Prakasa Lay (Mathematics, 2021)
Translator: Anggi Nurdiani (Management, 2021)
Editor: Vera Citra Utami
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