The total number of reported drug abusers in 2024 decreased by 9% from 2023 to 5,068, the Action Committee Against Narcotics announced today.
The number of reported drug abusers aged under 21 rose by 8%, however, to 720. Of these abusers, 226 had vaped the “space oil drug”.
The figures come from the Central Registry of Drug Abuse.
The most common substances taken by drug abusers in 2024 were heroin, cocaine and “ice” (methamphetamine), while people under 21 mostly took cannabis, cocaine and the “space oil drug”.
Since the first half of 2024, the “space oil drug” has been the third most common substance taken by drug abusers under 21.
To step up the control of the drug, the Government has listed etomidate, its main ingredient, along with its three analogues, as dangerous drugs.
The Security Bureau said the listing of etomidate as a dangerous drug has significantly enhanced deterrence against “space oil drug”-related crimes, and allowed law enforcement agencies to take more stringent enforcement actions against such crimes.
The committee’s Chairman, Donald Li, said he is glad that the Government adopted its suggestions to list etomidate as a dangerous drug.
He suggested that the Government should step up anti-drug publicity on all fronts and said he hopes primary and secondary schools can take the initiative to inculcate in their students the values of resisting drugs.
The Government’s new campaign, “Don’t fall into ‘space oil drug’ traps!”, has launched on various television and radio channels.
An Anti-“Space Oil Drug” Week was held last week by the bureau’s Narcotics Division and the Education Bureau. It was rolled out in all schools in Hong Kong, enabling students to understand the harms of the “space oil drug” and seriousness of crimes related to it.
