Disrupting the Chain of Drug Trafficking in Universities: Head of the Indonesian National Narcotics Agency Gives Public Lecture at Udayana University, Accompanied by the Signing of MoU and Cooperation

Jimbaran – Udayana University (Unud) held a Public Lecture featuring the Head of the Indonesian National Narcotics Agency (BNN RI), Police Commissioner General Marthinus Hukom, S.I.K., M.Si., which was also marked by the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Unud and BNN RI, as well as a Cooperation Agreement (PKS) between Unud and the Bali Provincial BNN. The event took place at the Widya Sabha Auditorium on campus, Tuesday (15/7/2025).

The Public Lecture, attended by thousands of students from Unud and several other universities across Bali, carried the theme "Breaking the Chain of Illicit Drug Trafficking through Prevention, Rehabilitation, and Eradication Towards a Golden Indonesia 2045."

In his opening remarks, Unud Rector Prof. Ir. I Ketut Sudarsana, ST., Ph.D. expressed his appreciation to BNN RI and BNN Bali Province for their willingness to become strategic partners in the effort to prevent and eradicate drug abuse and illicit trafficking (P4GN) within the higher education environment. The Rector further stated that the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding is not merely an administrative formality, but a moral and institutional commitment to strengthen the role of the university's Tridharma (Three Pillars of Higher Education) in combating the threat of drugs.

"Through this collaboration, Udayana University is ready to become a Drug-Free Campus (Kampus Bersinar) and a driving force of collective awareness among the younger generation, especially students," he said.

He added that the Cooperation Agreement with BNN Bali Province represents a more concrete and technical step, including education initiatives, capacity building for students as volunteers and anti-drug activists (P4GN), and the implementation of early detection measures through drug testing on campus.

"This is part of our responsibility to protect and prepare a healthy, intelligent, and morally upright young generation for a Golden Indonesia in 2045," the Rector emphasized.

He also expressed his belief that the material presented by the Head of BNN RI would broaden everyone's understanding of the urgency and national strategy in the fight against narcotics.

Meanwhile, BNN RI Head Marthinus Hukom, in his presentation, explained that narcotics not only damage physical health but also mental health. "When we talk about drugs, it’s not just about physical harm; it also damages social relationships. Drugs destroy not only the body but also one’s morality, which in turn affects entire communities," he said.

"Morality is essential—without it, we cannot build civilization or a nation," he stressed.

President Prabowo sees the drug issue not just as a matter of public security, but as a national resilience issue. "When the morality of a nation is destroyed, the strength of the state gradually collapses." This concern is embedded in the President's vision, Asta Cita, which includes critical issues concerning our national resilience and links directly to global drug use trends.

"Today, we are flooded with drugs at an alarming scale. Just a few weeks ago, we seized 5 tons of drugs in succession," he revealed.

This indicates a massive influx of drugs into our country. "It is not an exaggeration to declare that Indonesia is in a drug emergency. Our youth are being crippled by both international and national drug syndicates."

To address this, he emphasized the need for three moral standpoints that must become a shared awareness: that we must view drug crime as a humanitarian threat, even a civilizational threat. Many young people, he noted, do not yet understand the devastating consequences of drug abuse.

The event also included a reading of the Drug-Free Campus Declaration by the Anti-Drug Youth Movement, joined by all students in attendance.