Youth Drug Abuse Rises Amid Overall Decline, Etomidate Use Sparks Concern, ACAN Reports

Drug abuse and drug situation in Hong Kong in first three quarters of 2025

The Action Committee Against Narcotics (ACAN) noted at its meeting today (December 5) the statistical figures of the Central Registry of Drug Abuse (CRDA) and other drug-related figures in the first three quarters of 2025. ACAN noticed that the total number of reported drug abusers in the first three quarters of 2025 was lower than that for the same period in 2024, whereas the number of reported young drug abusers aged under 21 slightly increased. ACAN will closely monitor the situation in the remaining quarter of 2025, and will carry out anti-drug work according to the latest situation.

Figures from the CRDA revealed that the total number of reported drug abusers in the first three quarters of 2025 decreased by 1 per cent (from 4 176 to 4 122) when compared with that of 2024. The three most common types of drugs abused in the first three quarters of 2025 were heroin, cocaine and methamphetamine (commonly known as "Ice"). Nevertheless, the number of reported young drug abusers aged under 21 in the first three quarters of 2025 increased from 600 to 604 when compared with the same period last year. Among these reported young drug abusers, 284 of them abused etomidate. In this group, the most common type of drugs abused was etomidate, followed by cannabis and cocaine.

The ACAN Chairman, Dr Donald Li, said "Statistics show that the illegal use of etomidate among youngsters remains serious. I would like to again remind everyone that etomidate is a dangerous drug. In fact, youngsters who tried etomidate out of curiosity often wrongly believed at the beginning that vaping etomidate once or twice by e-cigarette was not a big deal, yet they quickly found themselves addicted to it and vaped more and more. Apart from addiction, etomidate also has many other harmful effects. In various recent cases, there were youngsters who lost their minds after vaping etomidate. Vaping etomidate also causes skin ulcers, myoclonic jerks, hormonal balance disruption as well as facial hair growth and deepened voices in women, seriously affecting health and appearance."

Dr Li also reminds the public that etomidate and all its analogues are dangerous drugs. Under the strict control of the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance (DDO) (Cap. 134), trafficking and manufacturing of these substances are liable to a maximum penalty of life imprisonment and a fine of $5 million. Possession and consumption of these substances will be subject to a maximum penalty of seven years' imprisonment and a fine of $1 million. The public should never try etomidate out of curiosity. It will cost one's health and career. Taking this opportunity, Dr Li urges etomidate abusers to stop vaping it immediately and proactively seek help and undergo drug treatments.

A spokesperson for the Narcotics Division (ND) of the Security Bureau said, "The ND is highly concerned about the abuse of etomidate. We have been actively carrying out education and publicity initiatives targeting etomidate to enhance the capability to resist this drug among the public. The Government has taken a 'down-to-earth' approach in recent years, making use of online media in anti-drug publicity campaigns. For instance, a series of social media posts under a Halloween theme were rolled out earlier to alert the public that they must not defy the laws and abuse drugs during festivals. Apart from that, as part of the fervour for sports brought about by the 15th National Games, table tennis athlete Wong Chun-ting and Wushu athlete Juanita Mok were invited to take anti-drug challenges (www.youtube.com/watch?v=DUqEz2-eX08), with a view to promoting to the public the messages of having a positive lifestyle and staying away from etomidate."

On the enforcement front, the Government will continue to spare no effort to combat etomidate-related crimes. The Police have set up a 24-hour etomidate reporting hotline (number: 6629 2966). Members of the public can also file reports via the instant messaging applications WhatsApp (number: 6629 2966) or WeChat (account: eto-report).

According to the statistical figures from law enforcement agencies, the number of persons arrested for drug offences in the first three quarters of 2025 increased by 26 per cent (from 2 386 to 3 012) when compared with that of 2024. The number of young arrestees aged under 21 also increased by 115 per cent (from 196 to 422). Etomidate, 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 83 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 over 20 years.

The ND reminds youngsters to remain vigilant against drugs when attending gatherings or travelling abroad during the long holidays in winter. Never try drugs out of curiosity, never take part in drug trafficking activities out of greed, and never join free trips to transport dangerous drugs across borders as "drug mules". 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 three quarters of 2025 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 dangerous drugs, including frequently asked questions about etomidate, cannabis and cocaine, for reference by the public.If members of the public encounter any drug problems, they can send messages to 98 186 186 on instant messaging applications WhatsApp or WeChat, or call the 24-hour hotline 186 186 to seek information or assistance from professional social workers.

Photo source: The official website of ND

Hong Kong Customs detects drug trafficking case involving incoming passenger at airport

Hong Kong Customs yesterday (May 9) detected a drug trafficking case involving passenger at Hong Kong International Airport and seized about 2.25 kilograms of suspected heroin, four tablets of suspected Viagra and 26 sticks of duty-not-paid cigarette, with a total estimated market value of about $1.4 million. A man was arrested.

A 61-year-old male passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia yesterday. During customs clearance, Customs officers found a total of about 2.25 kg of suspected heroin in his check-in suitcase, and four tablets of suspected Viagra and 26 sticks of duty-not-paid cigarette in his carry-on backpack. The man was subsequently arrested.

The arrested person has been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug, one count of possession of Part 1 poison, one count of possession of dutiable goods and one count of failing to declare to a member of the Customs and Excise Service the possession of dutiable goods. The case will bebrought up at the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (May 11).

Customs will continue to step up enforcement against drug trafficking activities through intelligence analysis. The department also reminds members of the public to stay alert and not participate in drug trafficking activities for monetary return. They must not accept hiring or delegation from another party to carry controlled items into and out of Hong Kong. They are also reminded not to carry unknown items for other people.

Customs will continue to apply a risk assessment approach and focus on selecting passengers from high-risk regions for clearance to combat transnational drug trafficking activities.

Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and life imprisonment.

Under the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance, any person who possesses any poison included in Part 1 of the Poisons List other than in accordance with provisions commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $100,000 and imprisonment for two years.

Under the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance, any person who imports, possesses, sells or buys dutiable commodities without a valid licence commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $1 million and imprisonment for two years.

Members of the public may report any suspected drug trafficking activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).

Hong Kong Customs detects drug trafficking case involving incoming passenger at airport Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs detects drug trafficking case involving incoming passenger at airport Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases