'Space oil' to be classed as a controlled drug from February 14

Wallis Wang and Eunice Lam

"Space oil" will be classified as a controlled drug starting February 14, announced Secretary for Security Chris Tang Ping-keung.

This substance, which has gained popularity among teenagers, contains etomidate - a drug typically used for anesthesia and sedation.

Currently categorized as a Part 1 poison under the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance, illegal use could result in fines of up to HK$100,000 and a maximum of two years in prison.

Tang said that the government plans to amend the law on February 14 to classify "space oil" as a dangerous drug. This change will be gazetted on the same day and take immediate effect.

Under the new regulations, individuals selling the substance could face life imprisonment and fines of up to HK$5 million.

Tang revealed that 174 people had been identified as users of "space oil" in the first three quarters of last year, with 139 of them under the age of 21.

By November, law enforcement had initiated prosecutions in 144 cases involving this substance.

"Using 'space oil' can lead to addiction, nausea, loss of consciousness and memory issues," Tang said.

He also noted three fatal incidents suspected to be related to the drug.

Tang also shared that the city recorded 86,774 criminal cases in the first 11 months of last year, marking a 3.9 percent increase compared to the same period the previous year.

Violent crimes comprised 9,708 of these cases, reflecting a 4.7 percent rise.

The increase in overall crime rates was largely attributed to scams and blackmail, with 40,470 scam cases reported - an 8.7 percent increase - and 2,828 blackmail cases, up by 18.5 percent compared to last year.

Notably, 62 percent of scam cases were online, a slight decrease of 0.6 percent, while telephone scams surged 172.8 percent, totaling 5,168 cases and accounting for 32.3 percent of all scams.

Also, among 837 teenage offenders recorded as of June last year, 102 - aged between 12 and 16 - were cautioned under a discretion scheme.

wallis.wang@singtaonewscorp.com

eunice.lam@singtaonewscorp.com