Government Launches Anti-Drug Campaign Featuring Aaron Kwok to Combat Etomidate Abuse

S for S attends "Listen to Me: Let's Stand Firm. Knock Drugs Out!" large-scale anti-drug publicity today together with Honorary Anti-drug Commissioner Aaron Kwok

The Narcotics Division (ND) of the Security Bureau and the Action Committee Against Narcotics (ACAN) held the "Listen to Me: Let's Stand Firm. Knock Drugs Out!" large-scale anti-drug publicity event today (March 17) at Ocean Terminal, Harbour City, Tsim Sha Tsui. At the event, the Secretary for Security, Mr Tang Ping-keung, introduced the concept of a new round of government anti-drug publicity campaign targeting etomidate, and a new anti-drug publicity video was premiered. Renowned artiste Aaron Kwok, featured in the video, took part in its production.

Speaking at the event, Mr Tang said that the Government adopts a bright, stylish, and positive image in the new campaign, which encourages members of the public to proactively choose a healthy lifestyle and stay away from drugs. This has taken the fight against the temptation of etomidate to a new phase.

The Government has long adopted a multipronged approach against drugs. In recent years, the ND has been leveraging creative and diversified publicity strategies to strengthen public anti-drug awareness, particularly among young people.

Joining the anti-drug publicity as the Honorary Anti-drug Commissioner, Kwok said that it is worrying to see young people abusing etomidate or taking part in its trafficking, either out of ignorance or greed. He feels the call of duty and responds to it by wielding his influence among the public so that anti-drug messages can be brought to everyone. He invited several young people who are passionate about dancing to participate in the filming of the new promotion video. Through the dancers' perseverance and hard work in pursuing their dreams, the video reminds youths to follow the right path and resist the temptation of drugs, and conveys the message "Etomidate: Not once not ever". It finally calls on the public to "Listen to Me: Let's Stand Firm. Knock Drugs Out!"

At today's event, Mr Tang and Kwok, together with the Chairman of ACAN, Dr Donald Li; the Acting Permanent Secretary for Security, Mr Benjamin Mok; the Chairman of the ACAN Sub-committee on Preventive Education and Publicity, Mr Wilfred Ng; and the Chairman of the ACAN Sub-committee on Treatment and Rehabilitation, Professor Dennis Wong, officiated at the premiere of the new anti-drug publicity video.

Kwok also spoke to a representative of the School Anti-drug Youth Ambassadors and a young dancer who took part in the filming of the video. He listened to how the ambassador promotes anti-drug messages on campus, and the dancer shared his experiences of the shoot. Kwok then led more than a dozen School Anti-drug Youth Ambassadors and young dancers in a live demonstration of a distinctive special edition of the anti-drug slogan: "Listen to Me: Let's Stand Firm. Knock Drugs Out!" as well as new anti-drug dance moves created by himself, showcasing the determination of the younger generation to say no to drugs.

In addition to the premiere of the new publicity video, Mr Ng announced four major public-education initiatives to be launched by the ND for 2026. These include a pop-up anti-drug game booth, which will tour various shopping malls and schools across Hong Kong starting next month, and a family yoga event to promote a healthy lifestyle, to be held in April and May across the territory. The event today also featured a student dance performance and an excerpt from an original anti-drug musical, enabling young people to share their positive attitudes towards healthy living through performing arts and to demonstrate how to resist drug temptation with a positive mindset.

The Government is highly concerned about the abuse of etomidate and has been carrying out education and publicity initiatives targeting etomidate to enhance the capability to resist this drug among the public. As such, the ND invited the renowned artiste Aaron Kwok to serve as the Honorary Anti-drug Commissioner to assist with anti-drug publicity efforts to further enhance public understanding of the harms of etomidate.

The Government has simultaneously launched new TV and radio Announcements in the Public Interest starring Kwok, depicting scenarios in which young people are lured via social media into taking or trafficking etomidate, and highlighting the drug's serious impact on physical and mental health. Advertisements and publicity materials bearing the slogans "Etomidate: Not once not ever" and "Listen to Me: Let's Stand Firm. Knock Drugs Out!" will appear everywhere across major public transport facilities, large outdoor billboards, and at the entrances of cross-harbour tunnels, cinemas, housing estates, schools, and government premises. They will also be pushed to mobile-phone users via popular mobile applications and websites. Information about etomidate has been uploaded to the ND's dedicated webpage (www.nd.gov.hk/en/etomidate.html) for public reference.

Members of the public can join the fight against etomidate-related crimes by filing reports through a 24-hour etomidate reporting hotline (number: 6629 2966) or the instant-messaging applications WhatsApp (number: 6629 2966) and WeChat (account: eto-report).

The Narcotics Division (ND) of the Security Bureau and the Action Committee Against Narcotics held the “Listen to Me: Let’s Stand Firm. Knock Drugs Out!” large-scale anti-drug publicity event today (March 17) at Ocean Terminal, Harbour City, Tsim Sha Tsui. Photo shows the Chairman of the ACAN Sub-committee on Preventive Education and Publicity, Mr Wilfred Ng (left), announcing four major public-education initiatives to be launched by the ND for 2026. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Narcotics Division of the Security Bureau and the Action Committee Against Narcotics held the “Listen to Me: Let’s Stand Firm. Knock Drugs Out!” large-scale anti-drug publicity event today (March 17) at Ocean Terminal, Harbour City, Tsim Sha Tsui. Photo shows the Honorary Anti-drug Commissioner, Aaron Kwok (front raw, second right), taking selfies with the School Anti-drug Youth Ambassadors and young dancers. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Narcotics Division of the Security Bureau and the Action Committee Against Narcotics held the “Listen to Me: Let’s Stand Firm. Knock Drugs Out!” large-scale anti-drug publicity event today (March 17) at Ocean Terminal, Harbour City, Tsim Sha Tsui. Photo shows the Honorary Anti-drug Commissioner, Aaron Kwok (front row, centre), leading School Anti-drug Youth Ambassadors and young dancers to demonstrate a distinctive special edition of the anti-drug slogan and new anti-drug dance moves. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Narcotics Division of the Security Bureau and the Action Committee Against Narcotics held the “Listen to Me: Let’s Stand Firm. Knock Drugs Out!” large-scale anti-drug publicity event today (March 17) at Ocean Terminal, Harbour City, Tsim Sha Tsui. Photo shows the Secretary for Security, Mr Tang Ping-keung (right), and the Honorary Anti-drug Commissioner, Aaron Kwok (left), speaking on the filming concept of the new anti-drug Government Announcement in the Public Interest. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Narcotics Division of the Security Bureau and the Action Committee Against Narcotics (ACAN) held the “Listen to Me: Let’s Stand Firm. Knock Drugs Out!” large-scale anti-drug publicity event today (March 17) at Ocean Terminal, Harbour City, Tsim Sha Tsui. Photo shows (from left) the Chairman of the ACAN Sub-committee on Treatment and Rehabilitation, Professor Dennis Wong; the Chairman of ACAN, Dr Donald Li; the Honorary Anti-drug Commissioner, Aaron Kwok; the Secretary for Security, Mr Tang Ping-keung; the Chairman of the ACAN Sub-committee on Preventive Education and Publicity, Mr Wilfred Ng; and the Acting Permanent Secretary for Security, Mr Benjamin Mok, officiating at the premiere of the new anti-drug Government Announcement in the Public Interest. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Remaining quotas for Bun Scrambling Competition on Cheung Chau open for enrolment

The Bun Scrambling Competition (the Competition), as the finale of the 2026 Bun Carnival on Cheung Chau, will be held on May 24. The registration procedures have been completed with limited entry quotas remaining. It is announced today (March 18) on the SmartPLAY website (www.smartplay.lcsd.gov.hk/home), the system's mobile app (My SmartPLAY) and Smart Self-service Stations that the Competition will be open for enrolment from 8.30am tomorrow (March 19) on a first-come, first-served basis.

Physically fit persons aged 18 or above can enrol via the SmartPLAY website, the system's mobile app (My SmartPLAY) or Smart Self-service Stations starting from 8.30am on March 19. SmartPLAY users may also complete the enrolment procedures in person at District Leisure Services Offices of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD), or through counters at leisure venues equipped with Smart Self-service stations. The enrolment deadline is March 23.

All selected applicants are required to complete safety training sessions on bun tower climbing and prevention of falls on April 12 in order to qualify for the final selection exercise of the Competition on April 26. At the selection exercise, the 24 contestants recording the shortest time in the preliminary round (including no fewer than six female participants) will be eligible to enter the semi-final on the same day to compete for the 12 finalist places (including no fewer than three female participants).

The 12 finalists will enter the Bun Scrambling Final on May 24 night. Trophies will be awarded to the champion as well as the first and second runners-up in the men's division, and to the champion in the women's division. The contestant who bags the highest number of buns within the time limit will win the "Full Pockets of Lucky Buns" prize.

To recognise the outstanding performance of the winners and enhance the atmosphere of the event, the male or female athlete who has been the champion for three times in the Competition since 2016 will become the "King of Kings" or the "Queen of Queens" and be awarded a trophy.

The 2026 Bun Carnival is jointly organised by the Hong Kong Cheung Chau Bun Festival Committee and the LCSD. Besides the Competition, the Bun Tower Climbing Team Relay will be held on May 10 morning. Local tertiary institutions, Government Departments, public utilities as well as commercial and industrial organisations will be invited to join. At the Climbing Carnival to be held in the afternoon of May 10, there will be bun tower climbing activities, game stalls, handicraft-making activities and variety shows. A Wishing Bun Tower will be set up. The winning entries of the Student Drawing Competitions will also be displayed. Members of the public are welcome to enjoy the carnival fun.

Details of the events are available at the SmartPLAY website, the mobile app (My SmartPLAY) and the 2026 Bun Carnival dedicated website (www.lcsd.gov.hk/en/bun/index.html). For enquiries, please contact the Islands District Leisure Services Office of the LCSD at 2852 3220.

Source: AI-found images