Young drug abusers rise as overall drug use declines, prompting ACAN to intensify monitoring and awareness efforts.

Drug abuse and drug situation in Hong Kong in first half of 2024

The Action Committee Against Narcotics (ACAN) noted at its meeting today (September 20) the statistical figures of the Central Registry of Drug Abuse (CRDA) and other drug-related figures in the first half of 2024. ACAN noticed that the total number of reported drug abusers in the first half of 2024 was lower than that of 2023, while the number of reported young drug abusers aged under 21 increased. ACAN will closely monitor the situation in the remaining quarters of 2024, and will carry out its anti-drug work according to the latest situation.

Figures from the CRDA revealed that the total number of reported drug abusers in the first half of 2024 decreased by 8 per cent (from 3 279 to 3 025) when compared with that of 2023. The three most common types of drugs abused in the first half of 2024 were heroin, cocaine and methamphetamine (commonly known as "Ice"). Nevertheless, the number of reported young drug abusers aged under 21 increased from 394 to 452 when compared with the same period last year. Among these reported young drug abusers, nearly 75 of them abused "space oil". In this group, the most common type of drugs abused was cannabis, followed by cocaine. "Space oil" has become the third most common type of drugs abused for the first time.

The ACAN Chairman, Dr Donald Li, said "space oil" is a name drug dealers created in order to sugar-coat drugs with devious tactics. "Space oil" is a kind of liquid with harmful substances added illegally. Although there is no standard formula for "space oil", it usually contains an anaesthetic called etomidate, which can only be prescribed by a doctor. Etomidate is regulated as Part 1 poison according to the law.

Dr Li explained that, in addition to etomidate, "space oil" may be mixed with other drugs, including cannabis, "Ice" and ketamine (commonly known as "K"), etc. "Space oil" can cause serious physical and mental harm, including addiction, memory loss, seizure, unconsciousness, and even death. He added that etomidate and other drugs are strictly regulated under the existing laws. Members of the public must not defy these laws.

"It is scientifically proven that using e-cigarettes is harmful to one's health. Vaping 'space oil' through e-cigarettes is the same as taking drugs. I urge young people to be more vigilant against 'space oil', and they should never try this emerging drug out of curiosity. Otherwise, they will lose their health, their prospects, and even their precious lives. I also suggest that the Government should adopt measures for raising public awareness of 'space oil'."

The Narcotics Division (ND) of the Security Bureau is highly concerned about the emerging trend of "space oil" abuse. It has adopted the suggestions from ACAN and launched education and publicity initiatives targeting "space oil" to enhance the public's abilities to protect themselves against this emerging drug. In July this year, the Commissioner for Narcotics wrote to all primary schools and secondary schools in Hong Kong, reminding the education sector to stay alert to "space oil". At the end of last month, the ND co-organised an exchange session with the Hospital Authority and a social welfare service organisation to improve the capabilities of front-line social workers for providing services to "space oil" abusers. The ND is also stepping up promotion and released an animated video (www.youtube.com/watch?v=zHQVLgU3wAA) on the theme of "space oil" at the end of August to remind the public about the harmful effects caused by "space oil". Together with relevant government departments and social welfare service organisations, the ND will meet the education sector on October 8 to further raise teaching staff's awareness of "space oil". Furthermore, law enforcement agencies (LEAs) will step up patrols, including online surveillance, carry out intelligence-based law enforcement actions and continue to spare no effort to combat crimes relating to "space oil".

According to the statistical figures from the LEAs, the number of persons arrested for drug offences in the first half of 2024 dropped by 10 per cent (from 1 791 to 1 611) when compared with that of 2023. The number of young arrestees aged under 21 decreased by 32 per cent (from 179 to 122). Cannabis and cocaine were the main drugs involved in these arrests. According to the court cases concluded for the same period, the conviction rate of persons being prosecuted for drug offences was as high as nearly 90 per cent. As for young offenders aged under 21 who were sentenced to imprisonment for drug trafficking, more than half of them were sentenced to over five years in prison, and the longest period of imprisonment was nearly 22 years. The ND reminded members of the public, especially young people, not to take part in drug trafficking activities out of greed. Otherwise, there will be lifelong regrets. Young age is not a valid mitigating factor. Anyone who commits a drug offence is liable for serious criminal punishment. The maximum penalty for drug trafficking is life imprisonment and a fine of $5 million.

The statistical figures of the CRDA for the first half of 2024 are available on the website of the ND (www.nd.gov.hk/en/crda_main_charts_and_tables.html). The ND's website (www.nd.gov.hk) as well as its official accounts ("narcotics.divisionhk") on Facebook and Instagram also contain detailed information about drugs, including frequently asked questions about "space oil", cocaine and cannabis for the public's reference. If members of the public encounter any drug problems, they can send messages to 98 186 186 on instant messaging applications WhatsApp and WeChat, or call the 24-hour hotline 186 186 to seek information or assistance from professional social workers.

Buildings Department responds to media enquiries on development project at Anderson Road

In response to media enquiries about the steel reinforcement installation works in the superstructure of a development project at Anderson Road, a spokesman for the Buildings Department (BD) today (October 4) gave the following response:

The BD received a report in late August alleging that the steel reinforcements of some structural elements in the superstructure works being carried out at the Anderson Road site had not been installed in accordance with the requirements of the Buildings Ordinance (Chapter 123) (BO). The BD attaches great importance to the incident and has deployed its staff to the site four times since early September to inspect site operations, quality of work, site safety and the like. During the inspection on September 26, the BD staff found that the number of steel reinforcements installed at six beams on 29/F of Tower 3 of the site was less than that required in the approved plans. Nevertheless, there was no obvious danger to the overall structure.

As neither the representative of the registered structural engineer (RSE) nor the representative of the registered contractor (RC) could provide a reasonable explanation immediately on that day, the BD staff met with the RSE on the following day (September 27) and requested him to submit a detailed investigation and remedial works report, including the need for additional sampling tests to determine whether similar situations existed on other floors of Tower 3 and in other towers.

To facilitate the investigation requested by the BD, works of the Anderson Road development project have been suspended since September 28. In addition to the investigation and remedial works report, the BD also requested for a proposal to strengthen site supervision, and the site works cannot be resumed until the BD is satisfied with the report and proposal.

The BD is continuing its investigation into the incident and will consider appropriate enforcement action upon receipt of the RSE's report on the incident.

The BD is also reviewing the superstructure works in seven other private developments being carried out by the same contractor, and will step up site inspections to check their site safety and quality of works.

Of the eight private development projects mentioned above, four were taken over from Aggressive Construction Engineering Limited (ACEL), which was removed from the register of general building contractors in November last year. The RC involved in the incident was another independent RC. Under the BD's registration system, an RC must have a suitable authorized signatory (AS) to supervise the works. The AS of the RC involved in this incident was not the AS of ACEL, whose name was removed during the processing of its application for registration renewal last year. The delisted AS could not act on behalf of an RC for the purposes of the BO unless he attended the interview again and passed the assessment of the Contractors Registration Committee.

The spokesman reiterated that the BD attaches great importance to the safety and quality of building works. Whichever contractor is involved, the construction works are subject to stringent control under the existing system. The BO stipulates that registered building professionals and RC must properly supervise the works, including ensuring the carrying out of building works in accordance with the approved plans. If registered building professionals, RC and their technically competent persons identify any non-conformities, they must follow the requirements set out in the Code of Practice for Site Supervision 2009 (2024 Edition) and initiate the relevant procedures and rectify. The BD will conduct audit inspections at the critical stages of the building works, witness on-site tests, and review relevant certification documents for quality control.

The Anderson Road development project comprises six multi-storey residential towers, three of which (Towers 1, 2 and 3) are 32 storeys in height, while the remaining three (Towers 5, 6 and 7) are 24 storeys in height. Superstructure works for all six towers were underway, with the concreting works completed at various levels ranging from 22 to 29 storeys. Nine single-storey houses will also be built in the development.