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: youth.siba@gmail.comTwitter: @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”