The overall number of reported drug users in Hong Kong declined in 2025, but a sharp rise in etomidate abuse among young people has sparked concern, the Action Committee Against Narcotics said on Tuesday.
According to the Central Registry of Drug Abuse figures reviewed by the ACAN, total reported drug users fell 2 percent from 5,179 in 2024 to 5,077 in 2025. Heroin, cocaine and methamphetamine remained the three most common drugs.
Reported drug users aged under 21 dropped from 734 to 698, but among them, 340 abused etomidate. Since the first quarter of 2025, etomidate has become the most common drug among young users, followed by cannabis and cocaine.
ACAN Chairman Dr Donald Li expressed serious concern that reported etomidate users more than doubled from 309 in 2024 to 615 in 2025, with about 55 percent aged under 21. He warned that illegal use of etomidate and its analogues severely damages physical and mental health and can be fatal.
"Complete abstinence from drugs is the only safe way," Li stressed. "Do not ruin your future due to curiosity, peer pressure or bravado. The ugly appearance of drug use is unsightly, and being filmed and uploaded to social media is completely uncool."
The Security Bureau's Narcotics Division has rolled out education and publicity targeting etomidate, including a new campaign featuring renowned artiste Aaron Kwok. Posters and banners with slogans "Etomidate: Not once not ever" and "Listen to Me: Let's Stand Firm. Knock Drugs Out!" will appear across public transport facilities, billboards, housing estates and government premises.
Police figures show drug-related arrests rose 27 percent overall in 2025, with arrests of young people under 21 soaring 90 percent, mainly involving etomidate, cannabis and cocaine.
The division reminded young people ahead of the Easter holiday not to experiment with drugs out of curiosity or participate in drug trafficking for free travel offers. Youth is not a mitigating factor in drug offences, which carry up to life imprisonment and HK$5 million fines in Hong Kong, and the death penalty in some countries.
