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Hong Kong Reports Decline in Drug Abuse Amid Rising 'Space Oil' Use Among Youth
First-quarter data for 2025 shows overall decrease in drug abuse, but surge in 'space oil' use among individuals under 21 prompts government action
Hong Kong's Action Committee Against Narcotics (ACAN) reported a decrease in overall drug abuse cases in the first quarter of 2025, with 1,644 individuals recorded, down from 1,738 during the same period in 2024. Heroin remained the most commonly abused drug, followed by cocaine and cannabis.
However, the number of reported drug abusers under the age of 21 rose to 285, with 128 cases involving the abuse of 'space oil', a substance containing etomidate and its analogues.
This marks 'space oil' as the most commonly abused drug among this age group, surpassing cannabis and cocaine.
In response, the government classified etomidate and its analogues—metomidate, propoxate, and isopropoxate—as dangerous drugs under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance on February 14, 2025. Possession or consumption of these substances now carries a maximum penalty of seven years' imprisonment and a fine of HK$1 million, while trafficking offenses can lead to life imprisonment and a fine of HK$5 million.
Law enforcement agencies arrested 940 individuals for drug offenses in the first quarter of 2025, including 140 under the age of 21. 'Space oil', cannabis, and cocaine were the primary substances involved.
The conviction rate for drug offenses during this period stood at 86 percent.
Among young offenders sentenced for drug trafficking, over half received prison terms exceeding five years, with the longest being 20 years.
The government has initiated public education campaigns to raise awareness about the dangers of 'space oil', particularly targeting young people.
These efforts include school-based programs and online resources.
Additionally, authorities have proposed a generic definition for etomidate analogues under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance to preemptively ban all variants of the substance.
A triennial survey conducted in 2023/24 involving approximately 99,600 students revealed that 2.7 percent reported having used dangerous drugs, up from 2.5 percent in the previous survey.
Psychotropic substances were the most commonly abused drugs among students, aligning with data from the Central Registry of Drug Abuse.
However, the number of reported drug abusers under the age of 21 rose to 285, with 128 cases involving the abuse of 'space oil', a substance containing etomidate and its analogues.
This marks 'space oil' as the most commonly abused drug among this age group, surpassing cannabis and cocaine.
In response, the government classified etomidate and its analogues—metomidate, propoxate, and isopropoxate—as dangerous drugs under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance on February 14, 2025. Possession or consumption of these substances now carries a maximum penalty of seven years' imprisonment and a fine of HK$1 million, while trafficking offenses can lead to life imprisonment and a fine of HK$5 million.
Law enforcement agencies arrested 940 individuals for drug offenses in the first quarter of 2025, including 140 under the age of 21. 'Space oil', cannabis, and cocaine were the primary substances involved.
The conviction rate for drug offenses during this period stood at 86 percent.
Among young offenders sentenced for drug trafficking, over half received prison terms exceeding five years, with the longest being 20 years.
The government has initiated public education campaigns to raise awareness about the dangers of 'space oil', particularly targeting young people.
These efforts include school-based programs and online resources.
Additionally, authorities have proposed a generic definition for etomidate analogues under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance to preemptively ban all variants of the substance.
A triennial survey conducted in 2023/24 involving approximately 99,600 students revealed that 2.7 percent reported having used dangerous drugs, up from 2.5 percent in the previous survey.
Psychotropic substances were the most commonly abused drugs among students, aligning with data from the Central Registry of Drug Abuse.
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