The publicity event "Anti-Drug, New Era" organised by the Narcotics Division (ND) of the Security Bureau was held at the Domain shopping mall in Yau Tong this afternoon (August 3). The Secretary for Security, Mr Tang Ping-keung, introduced the concept of a new anti-drug publicity campaign to members of the public at the event, and talked about tearing down the facade of "space oil drug" and renaming it as etomidate.

     Mr Tang said that many people have mistakenly believed that vaping etomidate is "cool". He wanted to tell members of the public that drug abuse is definitely not "cool". Knowing how to say no to drugs is "cool"!

     He said that drug traffickers had deliberately glorified etomidate-filled drugs, in order to lure youngsters into taking them and ignoring the serious harmful effects this type of emerging drugs posed to their physical and mental health. The Government has therefore renamed the drugs as "etomidate" to state clearly their nature as dangerous drugs.

     Mr Tang, together with the Chairman of the Action Committee Against Narcotics (ACAN), Dr Donald Li; the Permanent Secretary for Security, Mr Patrick Li; the Under Secretary for Security, Mr Michael Cheuk; the Acting Commissioner for Narcotics, Ms Jenny Chan; and the Chairman of the ACAN Sub‑committee on Preventive Education and Publicity, Mr Wilfred Ng, officiated at the event to launch the new anti-drug publicity campaign.

     Mr Tang first led the Acting Commissioner for Narcotics to tear off a sticker printed with "space oil drug" on a prop, symbolising the tearing down of its facade. Together with other officiating guests, Mr Tang then placed the prop printed with "etomidate" into a device with simulated flames, symbolising disposing of this harmful emerging drug, etomidate.

     To further raise awareness about the harmful effects caused by drugs, the ND has especially invited renowned artiste Aaron Kwok to take on the role of "Honorary Commissioner for Narcotics", and Aaron Kwok was presented with an appointment certificate. Aaron Kwok has designed a special edition of anti-drug slogan with his personal style: "Hear me out: Stand Firm. Knock Drugs Out!" as well as new anti-drug dance moves. At the event, he led the audience to chant this special edition of anti-drug slogan and demonstrated the new anti-drug dance moves, showcasing the strength and determination to "Say No To Drugs".

     Aaron Kwok also taught about 50 youngsters, who were appointed as "School Anti-drug Youth Ambassadors", his new anti-drug dance moves on the spot today. The "School Anti-drug Youth Ambassadors" will undertake the mission to spread anti-drug messages in schools across Hong Kong, bringing an anti-drug spirit to campuses.

     The new publicity campaign aims to give members of the public a clear understanding of the harmful effects caused by etomidate, which include "zombie-like" symptoms such as seizures, mental confusion, skin ulcers and loss of body control. Being in this terrible state in public strips abusers of all dignity, and their lives could be tainted. The new publicity campaign is on the theme "Etomidate - Don't vape it or you'll die like a zombie!", its relevant Government's TV and radio Announcements in the Public Interest (APIs) have been launched on various television and radio channels. In addition, the relevant advertisements and publicity materials will also be displayed on public transport networks, large outdoor advertising spaces, cinemas, public housing estates, private housing estates, Community Living Rooms and villages in the New Territories, etc. The advertisements will also be pushed to mobile phone users on popular mobile application websites. Information about etomidate has been uploaded onto the dedicated webpage of the ND of the SB (www.nd.gov.hk/en/etomidate.html) for reference by the public.

     To combat etomidate-related crimes with members of the public together, the Police have set up a 24-hour etomidate reporting hotline (number: 6629 2966), which is now in operation. Members of the public can also file reports via the instant messaging applications WhatsApp (number: 6629 2966) and WeChat (account: eto-report).

     The publicity event today also featured a sharing session, in which the Consultant of the Hong Kong Poison Control Centre of the Hospital Authority, Dr Chong Yeow Kuan, explained to the audience the harmful effects caused by etomidate. Professional theatre actors also performed an interactive anti-drug drama to promote the message of staying away from etomidate in a lively and engaging way.

Ends/Sunday, August 3, 2025
Issued at HKT 19:15

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