Nearly 340 etomidate drug users were reported in Hong Kong in the first half of this year, exceeding the 300 recorded for all of 2024, with the youngest user among the latest batch aged just 11.
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Commissioner for Narcotics Kesson Lee also said on Wednesday that 250,000 vape cartridges containing etomidate were seized in the first six months of 2025, 35 times higher than the same period last year.
In February, the government classified etomidate and three related chemicals as dangerous under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, placing them in the same category as cocaine.
“We believe the increase in reported cases is due to greater awareness of the harmful effects of etomidate following our education efforts, which has encouraged more individuals to seek help,” Lee said.
“Additionally, teachers, social workers and police officers now have a better understanding of this drug, enabling them to identify more abusers.”
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Of the 338 etomidate abusers logged in a government registry in the first half of the year, 211 were aged 21 or younger.