Following are the remarks by the Secretary for Security, Mr Tang Ping-keung, at a media session after the Fight Crime Committee meeting today (July 31):

Reporter: Is there a reason behind the increase of percentage in drug trafficking, particularly in "Ice" and ecstasy types? And can you recap in English why we name the "space oil" as etomidate today? What's the rationale behind? And how does this help deter people from taking the drug? Thank you.

Secretary for Security: First of all, when we look at the increase in drug offences, for the first half of 2025, we have 591 cases of serious drug offence. One-fourth of those cases are related to etomidate. So discounting (those cases relating to) etomidate from the overall serious crimes on drugs, actually it (the overall number of serious drug crimes) has decreased. The increase (in the number of cases of serious drug offence) is mainly because of etomidate. 

     You are talking about the naming of etomidate, right? Previously we called it "space oil drug". Some of the drug traffickers make use of the name to promote a sort of fantasy and some of the positive feelings after taking the drug. I think this is absolutely wrong. Etomidate only brings you harm, which will make you behave abnormally, cause (negative changes) to your appearance such as losing hair. I think we have to properly name it as etomidate so as to eradicate the positive sides of the old name of the drug. In fact, this drug will only cause harm to individuals.

(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the remarks.)

Ends/Thursday, July 31, 2025
Issued at HKT 21:05

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