Dr. Zeina Moukarzel

Conference 2024 Hot-Doc

Talk Title

Youth-led and youth-centered frontline against substance use: The story of LAMSA

Authors and Affiliations

Zeina Moukarzel
Medical Doctor, Beirut, Lebanon

Abstract

The Lebanese Association of Medical Services for Addiction (LAMSA), established by Doctor Zeina Assaf Moukarzel, is an NGO addressing addiction and substance abuse.
The founder’s experience as a critical care physician, witnessing the normalization of substance use, as well as the rising drug overdose case numbers and the alarming prevalence of iatrogenic addiction among the local youth, prompted action for youth-led and youth-centered action to tackle substance use.

Mission:
LAMSA is dedicated to promoting evidence-based medical education and awareness regarding addiction, mental health and physical well-being issues. Its main targets are substances widely used in commercial and “recreational” settings such as tobacco, alcohol and cannabis (cannabis-psychosis connection).
LAMSA advocates for the implementation of effective and affordable screening strategies for the psychological, environmental and addiction risk factors found among children, teens and families. Its distinctive approach lies in empathetic communication with the public and consistent engagement with relevant stakeholders.

Vision:
The organization aspires to educate about the risks associated with substance use and their mental and physical health’s ramifications.
It is based in Lebanon, the Middle East and to the extent applicable worldwide.
LAMSA envisions a generation well-equipped with knowledge to make informed decisions about health and lifestyle, contributing to a healthier society.

Objectives:
LAMSA’s objectives encompass a broad spectrum of initiatives, to engage and empower the youth while advocating for mental health and addiction awareness.
It seeks to reach young individuals through social media platforms, disseminating evidence-based information.
LAMSA strives to encourage healthy activities and foster positive peer support by emphasizing emotional recognition, early mental health screening and support-seeking behaviors.
Its approach includes facilitating non-judgmental discussions surrounding mental health and addiction patterns along with the organization of workshops with volunteer speakers in educational settings.