The total number of reported drug abusers in the first half of 2024 decreased 8% from the same period in 2023 to 3,025, the Action Committee Against Narcotics announced today.

According to figures from the Central Registry of Drug Abuse, the number of reported young drug abusers aged under 21 increased from 394 to 452 when compared with the same period in 2023.

Among these reported young drug abusers, nearly 75 of them used "space oil".

The most common type of drugs abused in the first half of 2024 were heroin, cocaine and “ice” (methamphetamine), while people under 21 mostly took cannabis and cocaine.

"Space oil" has become the third most common type of drug abused by people under 21 for the first time.

The committee's Chairman Dr Donald Li said "space oil" is a name drug dealers created in order to sugar-coat drugs with devious tactics.

He explained that "space oil" is a kind of liquid with harmful substances added illegally. Although there is no standard formula, it usually contains an anaesthetic called etomidate, which can only be prescribed by a doctor.

Dr Li added that "space oil" may also be mixed with other drugs, including cannabis, "ice" and ketamine, which can cause serious physical and mental harm, including addiction, memory loss, seizures, unconsciousness, and even death.

"I urge young people to be more vigilant against 'space oil', and they should never try this emerging drug out of curiosity. Otherwise, they will lose their health, their prospects, and even their precious lives."

The Narcotics Division (ND) of the Security Bureau expressed concern about the emerging trend of "space oil" abuse.

It has adopted the committee’s suggestions and launched education and publicity initiatives targeting "space oil", including writing to all primary schools and secondary schools in Hong Kong and organising an exchange session for frontline social workers.

The ND is also stepping up promotion and released an animated video at the end of August to remind the public about the harmful effects of "space oil".

Together with relevant government departments and social welfare service organisations, the ND will meet the education sector on October 8 to further raise awareness among teaching staff of "space oil".

Law enforcement agencies will also step up patrols, carry out intelligence-based law enforcement actions and continue to spare no effort to combat crimes relating to "space oil".

According to the statistical figures from the law enforcement agencies, the number of arrests for drug offences in the first half of 2024 dropped 10% when compared with that of 2023, while the number of young arrestees aged under 21 decreased 32%.

While for court cases concluded for the same period, the conviction rate of people being prosecuted for drug offences was nearly 90%.