Monday, 26 October 2026
LABUHANBATU SELATAN | INDATANEWS.COM - Drug abuse, student violence and bullying are among the key concerns of the police in Labuhanbatu Selatan Regency, North Sumatra, Indonesia. To prevent behaviour that could jeopardise young people's futures, the police are stepping up efforts to raise awareness of the law, public safety and order in schools.
The Deputy Chief of Labuhanbatu Selatan Police, KOMPOL Moch. Guntur Pryantoko, S.H., M.H., personally delivered public safety messages to pupils at SMA Negeri 1 Kotapinang in Kotapinang District, Labuhanbatu Selatan Regency, on Monday, 26 October 2026.The event formed part of the Polisi Peduli Pendidikan (Police Care for Education) programme. It aimed to raise pupils' awareness of the importance of obeying the law, treating others with respect and maintaining a safe, comfortable, disciplined and violence-free school environment.
In his address, Guntur stressed that schools are not merely places for acquiring knowledge and achieving academic success. They also play an important role in developing character, morality, a sense of responsibility and compassion for others.He said the decisions young people make today could have a significant impact on their future. Pupils should therefore carefully consider the influence of their friendship groups and social environments before making decisions, particularly when they are encouraged to engage in activities that violate the law.
The deputy police chief warned pupils against drug abuse, involvement in violent confrontations between student groups, physical assaults, bullying and other forms of juvenile misconduct that could harm themselves and others.
"Pupils are the next generation of our country, and we must work together to protect their future. Their lives ahead must not be ruined by drugs, violent confrontations, bullying or other forms of juvenile misconduct," KOMPOL Guntur said in his address.He emphasised the importance of raising awareness of the risks of harmful behaviour from an early age. Young people need to learn to recognise potential dangers and have the courage to reject invitations to engage in negative activities. Successful prevention efforts also require support from families, schools and the wider community to ensure that young people grow up in a healthy environment.
Guntur also reminded pupils that disagreements and differences of opinion are part of everyday social life. What matters, however, is how people respond to them calmly and constructively so that minor problems do not escalate into more serious conflicts.He urged pupils to resolve problems through good communication, composure and discussion. Violence, intimidation and fighting are not solutions, as they can harm many people, including fellow pupils, families and the wider school community.
He also encouraged young people to foster a culture of mutual respect, treat one another kindly, respect teachers and maintain good relationships with all members of the school community. Such attitudes are essential to creating a positive learning environment and developing a responsible character.
Alongside efforts to prevent drug abuse and violence, Guntur highlighted the importance of choosing positive friends. Peers can have a considerable influence on habits, discipline, motivation to study and academic performance.
"Choose friends who have a positive influence, remind one another to do good and support academic achievement. Do not allow your friendship group to lead you into trouble that could harm you, your family or other people," the deputy police chief said.His message underlined that a healthy social environment not only supports educational development but also helps young people make responsible decisions. Mutual support among friends should give pupils the confidence to reject negative behaviour and speak up when they see actions that could cause harm.
In addition to problems that arise directly in school, Labuhanbatu Selatan Police highlighted the risks associated with irresponsible social media use.
The police urged pupils not to be provoked into reacting without thinking, not to share content that fuels hostility and to verify information carefully before publishing, forwarding or commenting on it across digital networks.
Caution is particularly important because disputes that begin on social media can spill over into the real world. Emotionally charged posts, unverified information and derogatory comments can intensify conflicts when users fail to consider the potential consequences of their actions.Pupils need to understand that digital ethics are part of their social responsibility. Social media should be used for learning, creative activities, sharing useful information and broadening their horizons, rather than spreading hatred, intimidating others or escalating disputes.
Through these awareness-raising efforts, the police hope to encourage young people to become critical and responsible digital media users. They should also develop the confidence to reject the spread of harmful content and respond to disagreements politely and respectfully.
Labuhanbatu Selatan Police Chief AKBP Rosef Efendi, S.I.K., M.H., CPHR., reaffirmed, through his deputy, KOMPOL Moch. Guntur Pryantoko, the Indonesian National Police's commitment to serving the public. This commitment also extends to educational institutions, where awareness of the law must be strengthened and behaviour that threatens young people's futures prevented.
Creating safe schools requires the involvement of various stakeholders. The police, teachers, parents and pupils must work together to establish an environment that supports the healthy development of children and young people.Prevention must go beyond verbal appeals. Positive role models among adults, open communication between parents and children, appropriate supervision and a willingness to report problems at an early stage are also essential. These measures can help prevent difficulties from escalating into more serious conflicts.
Schools can make an important contribution by strengthening character education and creating an environment in which pupils can raise concerns without fear of intimidation. Parents, meanwhile, should maintain close communication with their children so that changes in behaviour or problems within friendship groups can be identified and addressed early.Young people themselves also have a responsibility to build positive social environments, respect differences and refuse to treat bullying and violence as normal behaviour. Through the collective efforts of everyone involved, prevention initiatives should extend beyond individual awareness sessions and have a lasting impact on everyday life.
The event at SMA Negeri 1 Kotapinang was also attended by Labuhanbatu Selatan Police Criminal Investigation Unit Chief AKP Eriks Raydikson Nainggolan, S.T.; the head of the Women and Children Protection Unit (PPA), Ipda M. Yuhandha Putra; criminal identification officer Ipda Mariduk Tobing, S.H.; personnel administration officer IPpda Miko Siswoyo, S.H.; internal control unit chief Ipda Tampin Thomas Situmorang; the head of the disciplinary unit; other Labuhanbatu Selatan police officers; and staff from the public relations division.Through the Polisi Peduli Pendidikan programme, Labuhanbatu Selatan Police hope that messages about public safety and order will be consistently put into practice in schools, families and the wider community. The initiative is intended to encourage young people to develop positive habits, obey rules, respect others and take responsibility for their actions, both in face-to-face interactions and in the digital world.
Under the principle of "Police Working Together with the Community", all sections of society are being called upon to play their part in protecting the younger generation. The aim is to help young people develop into disciplined, law-abiding, morally grounded and motivated individuals.Labuhanbatu Selatan Police reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining public safety and order in line with the Presisi principle, which emphasises prompt, intelligent, consistent and sincere action. (IDNC)
REPORTER: Jhon Fitra Sagala | EDITOR: Fik Sagala
