Hong Kong’s Aaron Kwok named honorary narcotics commissioner in anti-drugs push

Cantopop star Aaron Kwok Fu-shing has been appointed as an honorary narcotics commissioner as part of the Hong Kong government’s latest campaign to stamp out the increasingly popular novel drug etomidate.

Secretary of Security Chris Tang Ping-keung announced Kwok’s honorary role at a publicity event for the “Anti-Drug, New Era” campaign on Sunday, while the singer gave a performance of specially designed dance moves and chanted slogans with the audience.

“Your responsibility is to try and observe on campus. If any students are unfortunately trying etomidate, you should report them to rescue them from the clutches of drugs,” the singer told about 50 youth ambassadors at the event.

Kwok also taught the new dance moves to the assembled youth ambassadors, who are expected to raise awareness at schools about the dangers of etomidate and other drugs.

The government has stepped up efforts to crack down on etomidate, formerly known as “space oil”, including renaming the drug last week.

The narcotic’s main ingredient, from which it also gets its new name, was included in the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance in February.

The narcotic is commonly sold in e-cigarette liquid capsules and used in vapes. Its main ingredient was originally used as an anaesthetic in hospitals or administered to animals in rare cases.