EduAsiaNews, Sumatra Utara — Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU), through its Task Force for the Prevention, Eradication, Abuse and Illicit Trafficking of Narcotics (P4GN), conducted drug testing for members of its academic community at the USU Student Center on Thursday (Oct. 8, 2026).
The initiative was part of the university’s efforts to facilitate early detection and prevent drug abuse on campus. A total of 168 participants, comprising lecturers and educational staff, took part in the testing.
USU University Secretary Ir. Ikhsan Siregar, S.T., M.Eng., Ph.D., said the testing should be viewed positively as part of efforts to prevent drug abuse and protect the academic community. He emphasized that preventing drug abuse was a shared responsibility in creating a healthy, safe and productive campus environment.
“Therefore, prevention must be a shared responsibility, not one that rests solely with university leaders or specific units,” he said.
Chair of the USU P4GN Task Force, Prof. Dr. Lita Sri Andayani, S.K.M., M.Kes., said the drug testing had been conducted on an ongoing basis. She added that the continuity of the program reflected USU’s commitment to fostering a culture of healthy living, discipline, integrity and freedom from drug abuse.
“The testing program began in early 2023. Its continuation demonstrates USU’s commitment to supporting the prevention and eradication of drug abuse and illicit narcotics trafficking through the P4GN initiative,” she said.
In an interview, Lita explained that testing was conducted on a rotating and random basis among members of the academic community, particularly lecturers and educational staff. Meanwhile, students had undergone testing since the initial enrollment stage as part of early detection and prevention efforts.
“This is an effort to prevent drug abuse through early detection, while encouraging a culture of healthy living and preventing narcotics abuse,” she said.
Soritua Sihombing, M.Pd., who oversees prevention and community empowerment at the North Sumatra Provincial Office of the National Narcotics Agency (BNN), said prevention efforts would continue beyond the testing event. BNN would also conduct educational outreach for the university community.
In the future, the initiative is expected to lead to the establishment of P4GN teams at the faculty level, involving lecturers, educational staff and students, to broaden the reach of prevention efforts.
“We at the National Narcotics Agency hope this initiative can inspire other universities. We hope it will extend beyond USU and other campuses in North Sumatra to universities elsewhere as well,” he said in an interview.
Through this initiative, USU and the North Sumatra Provincial BNN are continuing to strengthen their collaboration to create a healthy educational environment free from drug abuse. The testing is expected to become part of a broader culture of prevention and raise awareness among all members of the academic community about the importance of working together to maintain a safe campus environment.
