Hong Kong’s ongoing efforts against substance abuse showed mixed results in the first three quarters of 2025, according to a recent review by the Action Committee Against Narcotics (ACAN). While overall reported drug abuser numbers saw a marginal 1% reduction, data from the Central Registry of Drug Abuse (CRDA) revealed a worrying increase in substance use among individuals under the age of 21, driven primarily by the illicit use of etomidate. This shift in demographic vulnerability coincides with a significant intensification of drug-related law enforcement activity across the territory.
Analyzing the Shifting Abuser Landscape
The CRDA figures indicate a slight year-on-year drop in total reported drug abusers, falling from 4,176 in the first three quarters of 2024 to 4,122 during the same period in 2025. Heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine remain the most widely abused substances among the general population.
However, the trend among young people reversed this improvement. The number of reported drug abusers under the age of 21 increased slightly from 600 to 604. Among this vulnerable group, the anesthetic drug etomidate emerged as the primary concern, accounting for 284 reported cases, followed by cannabis and cocaine.
Officials have repeatedly stressed the acute dangers associated with etomidate. Its use can quickly lead to dependency and cause severe health complications, including acute mental disturbances, skin ulcers, myoclonic jerks (sudden muscle spasms), and hormonal imbalances. Notably, in women and girls, chronic etomidate use can precipitate masculinizing effects such as facial hair growth and voice deepening.
Enforcement Intensifies Amid Record Arrests
In tandem with public health warnings, law enforcement has significantly stepped up its operations. Arrests for drug offenses skyrocketed by 26% during the nine-month period, totaling 3,012 compared to 2,386 the previous year.
The increase was even more pronounced among youth. Arrests involving individuals under 21 years old surged by 115%, climbing from 196 to 422. Etomidate, cannabis, and cocaine were the substances most frequently implicated in these youth arrests.
Hong Kong maintains stringent penalties for drug offenses. Etomidate and its analogues are designated as dangerous drugs under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance (Cap. 134). Trafficking or manufacturing these substances can result in a maximum penalty of life imprisonment and a HK$5 million fine, while simple possession or consumption carries up to seven years’ imprisonment and a HK$1 million fine.
The judicial system showed a high commitment to prosecution, with an 83% conviction rate for drug-related cases concluded during this period. The severity of penalties reflects the city’s zero-tolerance policy: over half of convicted drug traffickers under 21 received prison sentences exceeding five years, with the longest sentence recorded at over two decades.
Public Outreach and Future Focus
The Narcotics Division (ND) of the Security Bureau continues to bolster its outreach, focusing specifically on preventing etomidate use among young people. Initiatives include leveraging online campaigns and partnering with athletes to advocate for drug-free lifestyles.
To aid enforcement efforts, police have established a multi-channel, 24-hour etomidate reporting hotline (6629 2966), accessible via phone, WhatsApp, and WeChat (eto-report).
As the winter holiday season approaches, the ND issued a serious caution to young travelers, warning them to remain vigilant against engaging in drug use at social gatherings, especially when traveling overseas. Critically, the division advised against being lured by offers of “free trips” or quick money schemes that involve transporting controlled substances, emphasizing that the maximum sentence for drug trafficking remains life imprisonment. ACAN stated it will closely monitor consumption trends in the final quarter of 2025 to refine its future anti-drug strategies.