S.I.B.ASafer Interventions & Broader Acceptance
“It’s about the people, not the drugs”
Lebanon
• Capital: Beirut• Area: 10452 sq km
• On the East coast of the Mediterranean Sea• Meeting point of 3 continents: Europe , Asia & Africa
Lebanon – An Overview
• Over past 15 years: - Increase in Substance Misuse - Younger Ages of Initiation- Higher Availability/Diversity of Drugs
• Trends: Recreational (Club) Drugs vs. Opoids
• Very little Epidemiological studies
• Lack of Comprehensive Sexuality Education Programs- STDs & HIV/AIDS topic TABOO
Lebanon – An Overview• Most substance users (Rehab): Male, 18-24
• Age of initiation: 15
• Most Prevalent Substances (Rehab): Cannabis, Opoids, Sedatives & Tranquilizers
• 1 of main reasons why youth discontinue treatment:Unsuitability of services to user's needs
Situational Needs Assessment, 2009, SKOUN
Lebanon
• Low prevalence of HIV/AIDS cases (0.1%) • Rank 137th compared to international peers• Vast majority males (93% in 2011) • 5.7% of the total numbers of PLHIV are IDU• Major Barrier to Health Services: Drug users
stigmatized and discriminated against
Ministry of Public Health & Country Progress Report UNAIDS 2012
Lebanon – Law Enforcement- In 2009: 2,228 people arrested for drug use
charges alone (Drug Enforcement Bureau)
- Majority arrested for Cannabis & Opoids & Cocaine
Lebanon - Legal• 1998: Narcotics law revised: decriminalizing drug
“addiction”/dependency (Excluding drug use)• Still, very vague• Treatment vs. Punishment/Incarceration – FAIL• Drug Addiction Committee: not operational• 2010: Narcotics Law Reform (SKOUN),new
proposal drafted 2012, Lobbying• Aim: design targeted interventions, programs,
services that protect rights of users
Services & Treatment Options• Most Complete Abstinence Approach • Prevention & Control• Harm Reduction Services: Scarce (2)• Needle Exchange: illegal• Substitution & agonist therapies controversial
OST agreed upon in 2011
Access to information widespread - Prevention/Scare Tactics ineffective, calls for HR approach to reduce harms
Structure of Available NGOs• Youth employed in service provision BUT not in
Decision-making & Managerial Position
"What they think appropriate for youth"• Huge lack of "youth voice" • MAJOR GAP:
Creation of S.I.B.A, local youth-led NGO
YouthRISE at IHRA2011
S.I.B.Aمخاطر من للحد الشبابية الجمعية
المخدرات
• S.I.B.A advocates for just & humane drug policies and Harm Reduction services
• We envision a society where young people affected by drugs and drug policies can make informed decisions to become proactive key players
E-mail: [email protected]: @SIBA_lbFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/SIBA.lb
Current Focus of S.I.B.A
• Making the NGO professional (EFFORT)
• Work in alliance with current NGOs vs. competition/doing what they do- Add Youth Perspective
• Reach Key Populations
• Develop Youth-Friendly Toolkit (Adapted)
S.I.B.ASafer Interventions & Broader Acceptance
“It’s about the people, not the drugs”