Hong Kong registered a 1 percent decrease in the number of reported drug abusers in the first three quarters of this year over the same period in 2024, official data showed on Friday.

The number fell from 4,176 to 4,122, with the three most common types of drugs abused being heroin, cocaine and methamphetamine, commonly known as "Ice", according to Central Registry of Drug Abuse and other drug-related figures.

The number of reported young drug abusers aged under 21, however, increased from 600 to 604 in the first nine months of the year when compared with the same period last year.

Total 284 of the young drug abusers abused etomidate, which is the most common type of drugs abused by the group, followed by cannabis and cocaine, the data showed.

Pointing out that the illegal use of etomidate among youngsters remains serious, Chairman of Action Committee Against Narcotics Donald Li Kwok-tung reminded that etomidate is a dangerous drug.

“In fact, youngsters who tried etomidate out of curiosity often wrongly believed at the beginning that vaping etomidate once or twice by e-cigarette was not a big deal, yet they quickly found themselves addicted to it and vaped more and more,” he said.

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Apart from addiction, etomidate also has many other harmful effects, Li emphasized. "In various recent cases, there were youngsters who lost their minds after vaping etomidate. Vaping etomidate also causes skin ulcers, myoclonic jerks, hormonal balance disruption as well as facial hair growth and deepened voices in women, seriously affecting health and appearance."

He also pointed out that trafficking and manufacturing of etomidate and all its analogues are liable to a maximum penalty of life imprisonment and a fine of HK$5 million under the strict control of the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance.

Possession and consumption of these substances will be subject to a maximum penalty of seven years' imprisonment and a fine of HK$1 million, he added.

According to figures from law enforcement agencies, the number of persons arrested for drug offences in the first three quarters of 2025 increased from 2,386 to 3,012, a 26 percent year-on-year rise.

Meanwhile, the number of young arrestees aged under 21 also increased by 115 percent from 196 to 422.

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Official data also showed that etomidate, cannabis, and cocaine were the main drugs involved in these arrests. The conviction rate of persons being prosecuted for drug offences was as high as 83 percent, according to the court cases concluded for the same period.