1998 seizures for cocaine were reported back at 11.9 kg. Long-term data for cocaine seizures have averaged higher, between 111.6 kg and 291.9 kg. There are large communities of Lebanese expatriates living abroad, mainly in South America, but also in West Africa, Canada, the US and Europe. These extended family ties are often mentioned in connection with trafficking networks, particularly with regard to continued trafficking of cocaine from Latin America. There are also allegations that members of parliament and government officials have been involved in drug trafficking.
Some reports connect the rise of drug abuse with the civil warfare in Lebanon in the eighties.
Cannabis abuse is reported as being quite common and there is a possibility of abuse of both cocaine and heroine starting in Lebanon, although no exact data exist. Some insights can be gained from a rapid assessment study on drug abuse in greater Beirut conducted in 1992. The study established that drug abusers are mostly males in the age range of 25-34. Many abusers were reported to be reluctant to enter into treatment for fear of imprisonment6. These data are however and insufficient in terms of methodology.