The SIDC Sub-Regional Knowledge Hub (KH-SIDC) in Lebanon, with the support of the WHO and IHRA, and funded by Drosos Foundation, organized its seventh regional training workshop, this time addressing the topic of “Harm Reduction and the Role of the Media”. The workshop was held at Padova Hotel in Sin-El-Fil, Lebanon, from Wednesday the 20th to Thursday the 21st of January, 2010. Participants attending the workshop included 26 journalists, reporters, media directors and producer from Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt and Sultanate of Oman, representing local and regional media institutions (newspapers, TV stations, radios and production companies).

Mr. Elie Aaraj, SIDC Director and KH-SIDC Manager, described the strategy of Harm Reduction (HR) and gave a brief presentation of its various programs. Aaraj also stressed the importance of the role of the media in conveying messages on and advocating for HR. Sessions that were given during the workshop introduced the different programs within the HR strategy, including Opiate Substitution Therapy, Needles/Syringes Programs and Outreach. In addition, the workshop also tackled HR and its link to Human Rights, with emphasis on Drug-User Rights, and Ethics. In addition, the workshop ended with an interactive session on the role of the media in advocating for HR, through which the participants set action plans and strategies to advocate for and promote HR.

The trainers in the workshop included Mr. Elie Aaraj (KH-SIDC Manager), Dr. Charles Yacoub (Psychiatrist, Addictologist), Mr. Julien Courson (Human Rights Consultant), Ms. Nathalie Chemaly (Researcher), Ms. Nadia Badran (HIV/AIDS Program Coordinator, SIDC) and Mr. Elie Daou (Outreach Worker, SIDC). All trainers adopted an interactive approach during the sessions and incorporated the methods of debate, group work, live testimonies and screening of documentaries.
 

Kamarulzaman A, Saifuddeen SM. Int J Drug Policy.2009.Dec [Epub ahead of print].

Although drugs are haram and therefore prohibited in Islam, illicit drug use is widespread in many
Islamic countries throughout the world. In the last several years increased prevalence of this
problem has been observed in many of these countries which has in turn led to increasing injecting
drug use driven HIV epidemics across the Islamic world. Whilst some countries have recently
responded to the threat through the implementation of harm reduction programmes, many others
have been slow to respond. In Islam, The Quran and the Prophetic traditions or the Sunnah are
the central sources of references for the laws and principles that guide the Muslims' way of life and
by which policies and guidelines for responses including that of contemporary social and health
problems can be derived. The preservation and protection of the dignity of man, and steering
mankind away from harm and destruction are central to the teachings of Islam. When
viewed through the Islamic principles of the preservation and protection of the faith, life,
intellect, progeny and wealth, harm reduction programmes are permissible and in fact
provide a practical solution to a problem that could result in far greater damage to the society at
large if left unaddressed.

For abstract access click here:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20006483?itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum&ordinalpos=2

Editors’ note: Following an in-depth tour of the epidemiology of illicit drug consumption, injecting
drug use, and the HIV epidemic in Islamic countries, this paper presents the basic guidelines
provided in the Quran and the Sunnah (Prophetic traditions) that support needle exchange
programmes and opioid substitution therapy. The pragmatic evidence-informed public health
approach of harm reduction programmes in the Islamic Republic of Iran, Malaysia and Indonesia
contrasts starkly with the rejection of harm reduction in Libya, Tunisia, Syria, and Jordan. Despite
the tenets of Islam, resistance in the latter countries appears ideological with roots in a criminal
justice perspective. As the authors underscore, harm reduction is a public health issue that not
only does not violate shariah law, it follows Islamic principles.

Keynote speech of Dr Hussein A. Gezairy, Regional Director of WHO EMRO to the first Middle East and North Africa Harm Reduction Conference that was organized by MENAHRA (Beirut, Lebanon, 16-18 November, 2009)

“Ladies and Gentelmen
It gives me great pleasure to attend this important Conference which addresses a number of the most crucial health issues in our region, namely drug use and its impact, and in particular, the risk of bloo-borne diseases such as HIV/AIDS and hepatitis. I think the issue is so important that we need to address it quite candidly….”

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