Initiating and Mentoring Cadres of "Drug Abuse Prevention in Teenagers" Among School Students

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FORMOSA NEWS - Malang - School-Based Anti-Drug Cadre Program Strengthens Teenagers’ Resilience in Malang. Community service conducted by Nailis Syifa, Engrid Juni Astuti, M. Artabah Muchlisin, Camelia Churil Aini, and Almas Syamma from Muhammadiyah University Malang, through a scientific article published in 2026 in the Asian Journal of Community Services.

The threat of drug abuse among teenagers remains a serious concern in Indonesia, particularly in school environments that are vulnerable to peer pressure and external influences. As the need for more effective and sustainable prevention strategies grows, educational approaches that actively involve students are increasingly seen as a key solution to building youth resilience from an early age.

Teenagers in a Critical Development Phase

Adolescence is a dynamic stage of life marked by major biological, emotional, and social changes. During this period, peer influence and environmental factors play a crucial role in shaping behavior. Without proper guidance and preventive education, teenagers face a higher risk of engaging in harmful activities, including drug abuse.

 

SMP Negeri 1 Singosari, located in Malang Regency, East Java, is situated in a semi-urban area with relatively open access to outside influences. Although the school is known for its academic and non-academic achievements, it previously lacked a structured anti-drug cadre program. This gap motivated the Universitas Muhammadiyah Malang team to introduce a school-based initiative that not only delivers information but also empowers students as agents of change.

 

Interactive Education Beyond Traditional Lectures

Rather than relying on one-way lectures, the program adopted an interactive and student-centered approach. Activities began with close coordination between the research team and school authorities to ensure alignment with the academic schedule. Educational materials were designed using simple language, visual aids, and participatory methods suitable for junior high school students.

 

A total of 35 selected students from different classes took part in the program. They received interactive counseling on the types of drugs, their physical, psychological, and social impacts, as well as the legal consequences of drug abuse in Indonesia. Group discussions, quizzes, and practical simulations helped students understand how to refuse peer pressure and recognize early warning signs in their surroundings.

Creativity as a Prevention Tool

One of the most engaging sessions involved visualizing the impacts of drugs through group illustrations. Students were divided into small groups and asked to express their understanding by creating drawings depicting the consequences of drug abuse and juvenile delinquency. Each group then presented and explained the meaning of their artwork.

 

The results revealed a strong level of comprehension. Students were able to clearly describe how drug abuse affects health, mental well-being, social relationships, and academic performance. One group even used an anime-style illustration to convey its message, highlighting both creativity and deep understanding. According to the research team, students’ ability to explain prevention messages in their own words is a key indicator of program success.

Implications for Schools and Communities

The research team concluded that forming anti-drug cadres within schools is an effective and sustainable prevention strategy. By empowering students, prevention messages can spread more organically through peer networks and into the wider community.

 

The findings are also relevant for education and public health policymakers. Schools can serve as strategic hubs for drug prevention when supported by collaboration with families, communities, and related institutions. The researchers emphasize that this model can be replicated in other schools, with adjustments to local contexts, as part of a broader effort to reduce drug abuse risks among teenagers.

Author Profiles

Nailis Syifa, S.Kep., Ns., M.Kep. Lecturer at Universitas Muhammadiyah Malang
Specializing in nursing and adolescent health promotion.

Engrid Juni Astuti, S.Kep., Ns., M.Kep. Lecturer at Universitas Muhammadiyah Malang.
Focusing on community nursing.

M. Artabah Muchlisin, S.Kep., Ns., M.Kep. Academic at Universitas Muhammadiyah Malang.
Specializing with expertise in health education.

Camelia Churil Aini, S.Kep., Ns., M.Kep. Lecturer at Universitas Muhammadiyah Malang. Specializing in child and adolescent nursing.

Almas Syamma Student at Universitas Muhammadiyah Malang.
Actively involved in community service and health education initiatives.

Source

Nailis Syifa, Engrid Juni Astuti, Artabah Muchlisin, Camelia Churil Aini, Almas Syamma. Initiating and Mentoring Cadres of “Drug Abuse Prevention in Teenagers” Among School Students. Asian Journal of Community Services, Vol. 5 No. 1, hlm. 35-44. 2026

DOI: https://doi.org/10.55927/ajcs.v5i1.558

URL: https://srhformosapublisher.org/index.php/ajcs