Illicit drugs in Lebanon: Analysis of policies and practices
Up until present time, several studies have focused on addressing the phenomenon of use of, and addiction to legal and illegal substance in Lebanon. Although these research studies differ with respect to their aims, they concur with each other when it comes to emphasizing the necessity of designing a global social policy tackling this topic in the Lebanese context. The current study responds to the identified aforementioned need through analyzing existing elements of the Lebanese social policy vis-à-vis usage and abuse of illicit drugs, with respect to various involved actors’ experience and practices. Thus, this study aims at shedding the light on lessons that can potentially inform the establishment and implementation of the expected policy. The present study is qualitative involving two major categories of respondents: actors involved in this issue in Lebanon from one side, and drug addicts undergoing treatment as well as significant members of the family from the other side. In this study, findings are linked to two main objectives: - to present the state of the current social policy according to three levels: legislative, strategic and institutional; - to analyze the strengths and weaknesses facing this policy and the ongoing procedures.