Substance Use in Lebanon

Explore our range of services designed to help you move forward with confidence, wherever you're headed next.

Sources

ecoi.net

rm.coe.int

MOPH.Gov.lb

Why this matters

These statistics show that many young people in Lebanon are exposed to illegal or misused substances, but the legal risks are not small. A lot of youth might underestimate how severe the penalties can be, especially if they think small possession or first-time use won’t lead to jail. Also, because prescription drug misuse is rising, there’s also a legal risk there that youth may not understand fully. 

  • According to Lebanon’s Inter-Ministerial Substance Use Response Strategy (2016–2021), substance use among youth (ages ~15–24) has increased. The strategy estimates a lifetime prevalence of substance use disorder at 2.2% in the population. Council of Europe 

  • The same document reports that the onset age for illicit drug use in Lebanon is quite

    young: between 15 and 17 years old for many individuals.
    MOPH+1

  • The strategy notes a concerning level of non-prescription drug misuse: benzodiazepine

    dependence is relatively high, and misuse of prescription medications (like tranquilisers)

    is a problem among adolescents and young adults. MOPH

  • There are many types of illicit substances in the Lebanese market, including cocaine,

    cannabis, amphetamines, ecstasy, and synthetic drugs. MOPH

  • According to the 2024 Global School-based Student Health Survey (GSHS) for Lebanon,

    more than 1 in 10 students reported that they had tried an illegal drug, and about 3% are

    current cannabis users. MOPH

  • Under the substance-use law (Law 673/1998), individuals caught for substance use can

    face 3 months to 3 years of imprisonment and/or a fine. ecoi.net

  • However, the law allows the judiciary to refer some first-time offenders to rehabilitation

    instead of prison, especially minors or people without serious criminal history. ecoi.net