UNAIR NEWS – The Department of Psychiatry Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Airlangga (FK UNAIR) and RSUD Dr. Soetomo recently visited SMA Negeri 1 Giri in Banyuwangi as part of a community service initiative titled “A Healthy Generation without Smoking.” This initiative targeted 10th-grade students to prevent smoking addiction, especially among teenagers.
The community service event took place on Saturday, August 24, 2024, in collaboration with Universiti Malaya, featuring two guest speakers: Associate Professor Dr. Amer Siddiq Bin Amer Nordin and Associate Professor Dr. Aida Syarinaz Binti Ahmad Adlan. The event was formally opened by Acting Head of the Banyuwangi Regency Health Office, Amir Hidayat SKM, MSi.
Program overview
The program began with a pre-test and screening of participants using the ASSIST (Alcohol, Smoking, and Substance Involvement Screening Test) tool to evaluate substance use and dependency. The screening included questions on the use of tobacco, alcohol, marijuana, cocaine, and other substances, and assessed how frequently these substances were used. Students identified with dependency or mental health issues were referred for counseling with doctors from the Psychiatric Residency Program at FK UNAIR.
The program continued with a series of presentations that covered various topics, including the dangers of smoking, the prevalence of smoking among adolescents, nicotine addiction, and strategies for maintaining a smoke-free lifestyle. Dr. Soetjipto, SpKJ SubspAd (K), an addiction specialist from FK UNAIR – RS Dr. Soetomo, delivered these presentations at the Graha Building and the library. Additionally, Dr. Agustina Sjenny, SpKJ (K), a psychiatrist from RSUD Blambangan Banyuwangi, also contributed as a speaker.
Following the presentations, there was an interactive Q&A session that involved numerous questions from both students and teachers. The topics of discussion included the risks of secondhand smoke, the harmful substances found in cigarettes, and the existing tobacco use in Indonesia. Active participants were awarded booklets on quitting smoking. To assess the program’s effectiveness, all participants completed a post-test at the conclusion of the event.
The community service initiative was carried out successfully and is expected to increase high school students’ awareness, particularly regarding the dangers of smoking, to help prevent future addiction.
“We fully support this program and are grateful to the doctors from UNAIR. We hope that the youth in Banyuwangi will continue the regency’s efforts to control tobacco use,” said Acting Head of the Banyuwangi Health Office.
Reported by: Community Service Team, Department of Psychiatry, FK UNAIR
