1. S.I.B.A
Safer Interventions & Broader Acceptance
“It’s about the people, not the drugs”

2. Lebanon
• Capital: Beirut
• Area: 10452 sq km
• On the East coast of the
Mediterranean Sea
• Meeting point of 3
continents: Europe , Asia
& Africa

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. Lebanon – Law Enforcement
- In 2009: 2,228 people arrested for drug use
charges alone (Drug Enforcement Bureau)
- Majority arrested for Cannabis & Opoids &
Cocaine

7. 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

8. 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

10. 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

11. YouthRISE at IHRA2011

12. S.I.B.A
• 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: youth.siba@gmail.com
Twitter: @SIBA_lb
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SIBA.lb

13. 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)

14. S.I.B.A
Safer Interventions & Broader Acceptance
“It’s about the people, not the drugs”