PDF (Lessons learned in drug abuse prevention: a global review)

NATIONAL
Youth Connection
REGION:
Near and Middle East,
SouthWest Asia
COUNTRY: Lebanon
TARGET GROUPS:
● Young people (15-25 years)
SETTINGS:
● This depends on the
nature of the respective
organisation/institution
IMPLEMENTING AGENTS:
● Civil organisations/institutions
Youth Connection Group “Antoura” Theatre
Background:
In the 1970s and 80s, Lebanon was a major producer of illicit drugs in the Middle East,
and drug abuse rose drastically throughout the period of the civil war (1975-1990). 1 Due
to prevailing marginalisation and rapid social and economic change, the post-war societal
situation in Lebanon is equally characterised by high levels of drug abuse. The use of
cannabis is reported as relatively common, and there is some indication of cocaine and
heroin abuse, although no exact data is available. A rapid assessment study in Beirut established
that drug abusers are mostly males aged 25-34, and that many are reluctant to
enter treatment for fear of imprisonment. 1 Oum el Nour has noticed a decline in the age
of onset of drug abuse and in the average age of drug addicts, which is now between 19-
24 years. The onset of drug use occurs between the ages of 14 and 19 for 53% of all drug
addicts. 2 Approximately 20-30% of those seeking treatment and rehabilitation at Oum el
Nour has a university background, 10-20% are secondary school students and about 5%
are illiterate. 2 The percentage of women presenting themselves to the treatment centre
has also risen, from 3.7% in 1993 to 15.3% in 2001, although the increase could be
explained by the fact that young women now find it easier to come out with their problems
and to seek help. Although Oum el Nour's figures might not be representative of the
whole of Lebanon, they nevertheless give some indication of the drug problem, and highlight
the priority that should be given to young people in the light of their susceptibility to
drug abuse. Currently, there is no national drug abuse prevention strategy in Lebanon, and
little Governmental activity with regard to drug abuse prevention. A handful of NGOs are
attempting to tackle the drug problem in Lebanon, but Oum el Nour is the only organisation
providing a rehabilitation centre in the country, and the only organisation carrying out
prevention work targeting different groups in Lebanese society.
PROJECT PURPOSE:
Setting up and training a group
of youth workers in existing
civil organisations/institutions
to carry out drug abuse
prevention activities
COST: US $100,000 per year
DURATION: 1 year initially
Sources: 1 UNDCP Country Profile. www.undcp.org/egypt/country_profile_lebanon.html
[The organisation states in addition: Treatment is completely confidential according to Lebanese law and people
that seek treatment will not be arrested. Addiction-related offenders will go to jail unless they ask for a treatment.
In this case, the treatment centre has to tell the authorities if an offender has left treatment before completion.
The new law (1998) encourages treatment, but the problem is that the Government does not have
treatment centres as mentioned by the law.]
2
Oum El Nour. 2000. Drugs. No. 12. Beirut, Lebanon.
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