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S.I.B.A

S.I.B.A. Safer 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 :

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S.I.B.A

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  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 137thcompared 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

  9. 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

  10. YouthRISE at IHRA2011

  11. S.I.B.Aالجمعية الشبابية للحد من مخاطر 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.com Twitter: @SIBA_lb Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SIBA.lb

  12. 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)

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

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