Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

​The Action Committee Against Narcotics (ACAN) noted at its meeting today (March 17) the figures of the Central Registry of Drug Abuse (CRDA) and other drug-related figures for 2025. ACAN noticed that the total number of reported drug abusers in 2025 was lower than that in 2024.
 
Figures from the CRDA revealed that the total number of reported drug abusers in 2025 decreased by 2 per cent (from 5 179 to 5 077) compared with that in 2024. The three most common types of drugs abused in 2025 were heroin, cocaine and methamphetamine (commonly known as “Ice”). The number of reported young drug abusers aged under 21 decreased from 734 in 2024 to 698 in 2025, with 340 of them abusing etomidate. Etomidate became the most common type of drug abused among these reported young drug abusers since the first quarter of 2025, followed by cannabis and cocaine.
 
The Chairman of ACAN, Dr Donald Li, said, “ACAN is deeply concerned about the rising number of reported etomidate abusers, which increased from 309 in 2024 to 615 in 2025, with about 55 per cent of them being young drug abusers aged under 21. ACAN, together with the Narcotics Division (ND) of the Security Bureau, will continue to step up education and publicity efforts to assist members of the public to consciously stay away from drugs.”
 
Dr Li reminds the public that etomidate and all its analogues are dangerous drugs. The illegal use of etomidate and its analogues causes serious physical and mental harm, and even death. He stressed, “The only safe path is to stay completely drug-free – never risk your future out of curiosity, peer pressure or false bravado. Drug abuse leads to disgraceful and undignified behaviour, and being filmed and uploaded to social media is definitely far from ‘cool’. Furthermore, it is a serious mistake to believe that vaping etomidate using e-cigarettes can help evade legal consequences. In fact, law enforcement agencies have from time to time arrested individuals for the illegal possession of e-cigarette capsules laced with etomidate. With effect from April 30 this year, it will also be illegal to possess e-cigarette capsules in public places in Hong Kong.”
 
A spokesperson for the ND said, “Over the past year, with the support of the community, we have invested heavily in preventive education and publicity work against etomidate. Since 2024, in response to the etomidate situation, the ND has launched successive campaigns to debunk community misconceptions and highlight the harms of this emerging drug.”
 
As part of the Government’s ongoing efforts to combat drug abuse, a new anti-etomidate campaign was launched today, featuring renowned artiste, Aaron Kwok. In addition to the TV and radio Announcements in the Public Interest (APIs), there are also posters and banners bearing the slogans “Etomidate: Not once, not ever!” and “Listen to me: Let’s stand firm. Knock drugs out!” being displayed across major public transport facilities, prominent billboards, entrances to cross-harbour tunnels, housing estates and government premises, etc. The aim of these materials is to raise public awareness of the dangers of the abuse of etomidate.
 
According to the statistical figures from law enforcement agencies, the number of persons arrested for drug offences in 2025 increased by 27 per cent (from 3 243 to 4 108) when compared with that in 2024. The number of young arrestees aged under 21 also increased, by 90 per cent (from 301 to 573). Etomidate, cannabis and cocaine were the main drugs involved in these arrests. According to the court cases concluded in the same period, the conviction rate of persons being prosecuted for drug offences was as high as 86 per cent. As for young offenders aged under 21 who were sentenced to imprisonment for drug trafficking, more than half of them were sentenced to over five years in prison, and the longest imprisonment was over 20 years.
 
With the Easter holidays approaching, the ND reminds young people not to try drugs out of curiosity nor to participate in free trips to transport dangerous drugs across borders as “drug mules” out of greed. Young age is not a valid mitigating factor for drug offences. Drug trafficking is a serious crime worldwide, and in some places, individuals convicted of this crime can be sentenced to death. In Hong Kong, the maximum penalty is life imprisonment and a fine of $5 million.
 
The statistical figures of the CRDA for 2025 are available on the website of the ND (www.nd.gov.hk/en/crda_main_charts_and_tables.html). The ND’s website (www.nd.gov.hk) as well as its social media accounts (narcotics.divisionhk) on Facebook and Instagram also contain detailed information about drugs, including frequently asked questions about etomidate, cocaine and cannabis for the public’s reference.
 
If members of the public encounter any drug problems, they can send messages to 98 186 186 on instant messaging applications WhatsApp and WeChat, or call the 24-hour hotline 186 186 to seek information or assistance from professional social workers. The Police also operates a 24-hour etomidate reporting hotline (number: 6629 2966). Members of the public can also file reports via the instant messaging applications WhatsApp (number: 6629 2966) or WeChat (account: eto-report).

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Student Health Service (SHS), under the Department of Health, today released its Annual Health Report for the 2024-25 school year, documenting that excessive weight and recreational screen time remain prevalent among primary and secondary school students in Hong Kong. It also found that visual health remains unsatisfactory.

In the 2024-25 school year, about 256,000 primary school students and 172,000 secondary school students received free annual health assessments at the department’s Student Health Service Centres (SHSCs).

The assessment found that the prevalence of being overweight among students was 17.5%, up 0.4% year on year.

Moreover, 93.6% of students reported insufficient levels of daily physical activity, i.e. not undertaking at least 60 minutes of daily physical activity of moderate to vigorous intensity.

In addition, 89.4% of students reported an inadequate daily intake of fruit and vegetables.

The Government launched an inaugural Action Plan on Weight Management earlier this month, aiming to promote weight management across the city through various activities and initiatives.

According to the data from the department’s health assessment questionnaires, in the 2024-25 school year 41.8% of primary school students reported spending two hours or more using the Internet or electronic screen products for recreational purposes on a typical school day. Among secondary school students, the corresponding proportion was 81.1%.

The department recommends children aged between six and 12 years old limit recreational screen time to less than two hours a day.

It highlighted that it established an “Advisory Group on Health Effects of Screen & Social Media Use for Children & Adolescents” in October last year, adding that the group aims to issue updated health recommendations before the end of this year.

Regarding students’ visual health, the proportion of Primary One students wearing glasses was 14.5%, while that of Primary Six students stood at 55.1%.

Among primary and secondary school students who had their visual acuity tested in the 2024-25 school year, 17.3% required further assessment by the SHS or private optometrists due to failing a preliminary test, or other eye or visual problems.

In terms of psychosocial well-being, 96% of students reported that they enjoyed or very much enjoyed family life, while 93.8% of students said they enjoyed or very much enjoyed school life.

Meanwhile, 1.6% of students reported having planned to commit suicide in the past 12 months, and 0.7% said they had attempted to do so. Both figures were lower than that in the previous school year.

In the current school year, the Government has regularised a preventative Three-Tier School-based Emergency Mechanism in all secondary schools in Hong Kong. The mechanism has also been extended on a trial basis to Primary Four to Six students to ensure early identification and support for students at higher risk of suicide.

Separately, the Department of Health will prepare individualised health reports for each school participating in the Whole School Health Programme. This will involve recommending measures relating to physical activity, diet and other matters with a view to improving students’ physical and psychological well-being.

As of early March, 891 schools – accounting for more than 75% of primary and secondary schools in the city – had joined the programme.

The department also highlighted that the SHS has fully implemented an Online Enrolment Scheme to streamline enrolment.

Enrolment for the annual health assessment service during the 2025-26 school year is now open.

Students who have not yet enrolled can submit an online application through GovHK, or complete an Application & Consent Form and submit it to their designated SHSC along with the required documents by email, post or fax.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

(To watch the full media session with sign language interpretation, click here.)

Chief Executive John Lee today said the Government will work to ensure a stable energy supply and enhanced pricing transparency, as it endeavours to mitigate risks arising from oil supply disruption brought about by the current Middle East conflict.

Responding to media enquiries ahead of the Executive Council meeting this morning, Mr Lee said: “In regard to (the) supply of oil, because of the disruption in supply, oil prices have gone up. We will, of course, take action to try to mitigate the risks.

“What the Government is working on is first of all ensuring that there will be a stable energy supply. We also want to ensure that transparency of information relating to supply and energy prices will be enhanced.

“And the Government will continue to monitor price fluctuations, as well as the reasonableness and need of price adjustments. We will also remind service providers of their social responsibility.”

Mr Lee highlighted that, to ensure a stable energy supply, the Government has asked suppliers to ensure that they have contingency plans.

“First of all, they should work on ensuring alternative supplies if it is possible. The second thing is ensuring that they have enough stockpiles.

“For electricity production, it is also very important to prepare, to adjust the fuel mix, so that the proportion of natural gas, coal and nuclear power can be adjusted readily in view of the changing situation.”

The Chief Executive added that various authorities are well prepared to deal with changes in the energy market.

“For example, under the CEDB (Commerce & Economic Development Bureau), we have the Competition Commission and the Consumer Council in position ready to deal with the changing situation.

“The Competition Commission will monitor the market situation; where there is any possible indication of malpractice such as unfair competition or manipulation of prices, then they will exercise their power to demand information or even ask responsible people to come to (an) enquiry.

“The Consumer Council has also made an appeal to suppliers so that they will bear in mind people’s affordability, and also social responsibility.”

Mr Lee added: “The Government has also been in touch with local airlines and also will be meeting fuel suppliers, petrol fuel suppliers, so as to ensure that they will know their social responsibility and also provide more updated and early information about supply, about prices.”

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Government plans to allow Wang Fuk Court residents to return to their homes to retrieve personal belongings as early as April.

Speaking ahead of today’s Executive Council meeting, Chief Executive John Lee said that he understands the residents’ wishes to visit their homes and check on their properties.

Mr Lee said: “I also know that there will be strong demand for the residents to go back to look at their homes. We are working on this. We want to ensure that this can be done early.”

He noted that due to the poor condition of the units following the fire, the Government must ensure a safe and comprehensive plan is in place before residents can return.

“Deputy Chief Secretary Warner Cheuk is working hard on the plan to ensure that it will be done safely and orderly because a lot of units, having been burnt very seriously, have structural problems, including in the areas of ceilings, walls and beams. Some units have no windows or doors and the floor is full of debris,” he said.

“There is no lift, no electricity and no water supply. So, it is a very difficult scene and we have to ensure that it will be done properly.”

“We hope to be able to announce our plan this month so that, in April, the residents of Wang Fuk Court can go back to their homes to take back their belongings,” he added.

Mr Lee also mentioned a long-term accommodation plan for the residents.

“We have already rolled out a plan about long-term accommodation. And we have a team of over a hundred of people to talk to the different families to explain and let them choose their options. We will give them sufficient time. So far, they have been working for over two weeks. The feedback, in some way, aligned with our expectations,” he said.

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

Director General David Cheng-Wei Wu and Mrs. Wu attended the Emperor of Japan’s Birthday Reception hosted by Consul-General Osamu Yamanaka and Mrs. Yamanaka in Sydney, extending congratulations on behalf of the Government of Taiwan.
Director General Wu also congratulated Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on her recent election victory and renewed mandate from the Japanese people. He noted the strong and enduring friendship between Taiwan and Japan, highlighting continued cooperation in trade, technology, culture, and tourism, as well as the two sides’ shared commitment to freedom, democracy, and the rule of law.
The reception also featured an introduction to Ainu culture from Upopoy – the National Ainu Museum and Park in Hokkaido, showcasing Japan’s rich cultural diversity.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region