We support people who use drugs, we don’t punish

Harm Reduction Services: Respect, Advocacy, Support!

SIDC was the first association to provide harm reduction services in Lebanon.

The harm reduction program established in the year 2000, is meant to reach several key population groups such as People who use Drugs, LGBTQ+ community members and Female sex workers, and their partners or peers.

This program is comprehensive, whereby individuals are targeted through online outreach, information communication technology activity, and through field outreach, using SIDC’s mobile unit. The beneficiaries are then given access to Opioids Substitution Treatment (OST), urine tests, provided with sexual and reproductive health services, and mental health services, where applicable.

At the harm reduction center, ESCALE, beneficiaries who use and/or inject drugs are supported by a multidisciplinary team composed of: a nurse, 2 social workers, 1 mental health service coordinator, 1 center coordinator and a team of mental health professionals, psychiatrists, therapists, psychologists, and counselors

Support. Don’t Punish

Every year, SIDC celebrates the “Support. Don’t Punish” campaign which is a global advocacy campaign calling for better drug policies that prioritize public health and human rights. The campaign aims to promote drug policy reform, and to change laws and policies which impede access to harm reduction interventions.

In 1996, SIDC was the first association to work on developing and reforming the Law on Drugs abuse.

In addition, in 1997, SIDC was the first association to lunch community-based awareness programs that adopts peer to peer education, and field workers to introduce community interventions addressing PWUDs, LGBTQ+, MSWs and FSWs.

Why celebrate Support. Don’t Punish?

On The International Day against Drugs and Illicit Trafficking that falls on June 26, the SDP campaign is an occasion to spread awareness about many issues such as the dysfunctional drug control system and its need for reform, the criminalization of drug users, and the death penalty for drug offenses.

“Drug policy in the next decade should focus on health and harm reduction”

Support Don’t Punish Campaign

SIDC stands in solidarity with people who use drugs and believe that they should not be criminalized and they have the right to access of treatment and support.

Our drop-in harm reduction and treatment center Escale works daily to receive patients, the helpline 70983427 is always available to answer, and you can also contact us through Instagram or Facebook.