Transcript S.I.B.A - AIDS 2012

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:
- 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
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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
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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.A
‫الجمعية 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: [email protected]
Twitter: @SIBA_lb
Facebook: 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.A
Safer Interventions & Broader Acceptance
“It’s about the people, not the drugs”