European Web Survey on Drugs 2021: Emerging findings in Lebanon

Introduction

The European Web Survey on Drugs¹ collected data during March and May 2021 from people who use drugs, are aged 18 or older, and live in 21 EU and 9 non-EU countries including Lebanon. In this period, the populations in many European and neighbouring countries were experiencing COVID-19-related lockdown or restrictions. Unless otherwise indicated, the data presented here refer to the 274 respondents who reported having used at least one illicit drug in the 12 months prior to the survey (last 12 months of use) and live in Lebanon.

In summary

• Most survey respondents (93 %) reported using cannabis during the previous 12 months. A total of 42 % had used cocaine and 32 % MDMA/ecstasy.
• The most commonly reported motivations for cannabis use were relaxation, getting high and treating anxiety.
• Home was reported as the most common setting for drug use during the period.
• The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and national measures was reported to be greatest on the use of cannabis resin (increased consumption).
• The explosion in Beirut in 2020 was reported to have had an impact on use of cannabis (increased consumption) and the use of cocaine, MDMA and amphetamine (decreased consumption).

Drug use patterns

Most survey respondents (92 %) reported that they had used cannabis during the previous 12 months. Cocaine, MDMA/ecstasy and new psychoactive substances (NPS) were the next most reported illict substances. One fifth of the sample reported using ketamine (21 %) or amphetamine (20 %) in the last year, while 16 % reported use of methamphetamine and 10 % use of LSD during the period. Heroin use was reported by 5 % of respondents.

Motivation for drug use

The motivations to use particular drugs often reflect the effects users expect when they use them. The survey responses suggest cannabis is taken for its calming and euphoric effects, specifically to reduce stress or to relax, to get high or for fun, and to treat anxiety or depression. The motivations reported for cocaine use were euphoric effects and to socialise.

Settings for drug use

By far the most commonly reported setting for drug use in the last 12 months was the home, which was mentioned by 83 % of the respondents. Home use would be expected to be predominant. This pattern may have been accentuated by the reduced mobility resulting from COVID-19 lockdowns, the impact of the political and economic situation, and the explosion in Beirut in 2020.

Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on drug use

Respondents reported mixed experiences when they were asked about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on their use of illicit drugs. Cannabis resin and herbal cannabis were reported to have been used more, while amphetamine, cocaine powder and ecstasy/MDMA were used less.

Country-specific finding: Perceived impact of the 2020 explosion in Beirut on drug consumption

In addition to standard items included in EMCDDA’s Web Survey on Drugs tool, all European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) countries that implemented the survey had the opportunity to add a country-specific question. In Lebanon, a question was included about the perceived impact of the 2020 explosion in Beirut on drug use. Reports suggest that the 2020 explosion may have resulted in an increase in cannabis use, while cocaine, MDMA and amphetamine may have been used less.

Notes

(¹) The analysis here covers Lebanon, where the web survey was carried out as part of the EU4Monitoring Drugs (EU4MD) project, funded by the European Union. While web surveys are not representative of the general population, when they are carefully conducted and combined with traditional data collection methods they can help paint a more detailed, realistic and timely picture of drug use and drug markets in Europe and the European neighbourhood. As such, they are a key ingredient in the EMCDDA’s responsiveness to an ever-shifting drugs problem.

For more detailed information on the project, please see our webpage on the European Web Survey on Drugs.

The European Web Survey on Drugs in Lebanon was implemented by Skoun, Lebanese Addictions Center and the Ministry of Public Health in the framework of the EU4Monitoring Drugs project, financed by the European Union. This document was produced with the financial assistance of the European Union. The views expressed herein can in no way be taken to reflect the official opinion of the European Union.

Source data

Below you can find the source data tables used for the graphics on this page.