European Web Survey on Drugs 2021: Emerging findings 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.

 

The source data for this graphic are available in Table 1 on this page.

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.

 

The source data for this graphic are available in Table 2a on this page.

 

The source data for this graphic are available in Table 2b on this page.

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.

 

The source data for this graphic are available in Table 3 on this page.

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.

 

The source data for this graphic are available in Table 4 on this page.

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.

 

The source data for this graphic are available in Table 5 on this page.

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.

Table 1. Last year prevalence (n = 274)

	% of respondents
Tobacco	92
Cannabis	92
Alcohol	90
Cocaine	42
MDMA/Ecstasy	32
NPS	26
Ketamine	21
Amphetamine	20
Methamphetamine	16
LSD	10
Heroin	5

Table 2a. Motivation for herbal cannabis use in the last 12 months (n = 190)

	% of respondents
To reduce stress/relax	77
To get high/for fun	65
To treat depression /anxiety	43
To improve sleep	42
To socialise	33
To reduce pain/inflammation	14
To enhance performance (school, work, sport, etc.)	13
Out of curiosity /to experiment	6
Other	4

Table 2b. Motivation for cocaine (powder) use in the last 12 months (n = 69)

	% of respondents
To get high/for fun	77
To socialise	42
To reduce stress/relax	12
To enhance performance (school, work, sport, etc.)	12
Out of curiosity /to experiment	10
To treat depression/anxiety	4
Other	3

Table 3. Settings for drug use in last 12 months (n = 274)

Setting	% of respondents
Home	83
Music festival or party	38
Public space (street, park, etc.)	35
Club or bar	32
Other	16
Work	15
School/university/training facility	7

Table 4. Has the COVID-19 pandemic had any impact on your drug use? (% of respondents)

Substance	I use less	I use the same	I use more	Don't know/No answer
Amphetamine	59	24	12	5
Cocaine powder	49	14	9	28
Ecstasy/MDMA	46	22	16	16
Methamphetamine	29	12	41	18
Herbal Cannabis	17	24	44	15
Cannabis resin	17	17	56	10
NPS	13	7	40	40

Table 5. Has the 2020 Beirut Explosion had any impact on your drug use? (% of respondents)

Substance	I use more	I use the same	I use less	Don't know/No answer
Cannabis	53	25	12	10
Methaphetamine	32	24	12	32
Ecstacy/MDMA	27	21	43	9
Cocaine	18	14	56	12
NPS	16	6	34	44
Amphetamine	16	12	40	32