Latest news with #Anti-SpaceOilDrugWeek
South China Morning Post
22-02-2025
- South China Morning Post
No let up in the battle against ‘space oil'
The emergence of 'space oil' as one of Hong Kong's most popular recreational drugs last year called for swift and decisive action. Earlier this month, four substances used as ingredients were reclassified as dangerous drugs. This is a necessary step which significantly increased the penalties for their use or sale. Those caught in possession face a sentence of up to seven years in jail and a maximum HK$1 million fine. Traffickers will face a potential life prison term and HK$5 million fine. This will help ensure the punishment fits the crime. The move will provide a much stronger deterrent and help law enforcement agencies crack down on those involved, such as by seizing the assets of dealers. But strengthening the law is not the only step required to tackle the growing popularity of a drug that can seriously impair the physical and mental health of users, leading to addiction, memory loss, seizures, loss of consciousness or even death. Recent figures show that more than half of the registered users of the drug last year were aged between 12 and 17. There were 16 cases in which young people were caught with space oil on school premises. The prevalence of the drug, which can be mixed with other substances and packaged in e-cigarette capsules, is worrying. There is a need to ensure the city's youth know that space oil is dangerous and must be avoided. With that in mind, the Security Bureau is to require schools to take part in 'Anti-Space Oil Drug Week'. An Education Bureau circular on the campaign includes videos, posters and teaching materials warning of the drug's harmful effects.
South China Morning Post
16-02-2025
- South China Morning Post
16 youngsters caught with ‘space oil' on grounds of Hong Kong schools last year
Published: 7:30am, 17 Feb 2025 Sixteen youngsters were caught with the emerging drug 'space oil' on school grounds last year, Hong Kong's narcotics commissioner has revealed, vowing to strengthen education efforts targeting students under the city's crackdown. Commissioner for Narcotics Kesson Lee of the Security Bureau said his division would organise the Anti-Space Oil Drug Week with education authorities to drive home the message to students. He also cited official figures showing youngsters aged 12 to 17 accounted for just over half of all of the drug's users listed in a government registry last year. Lee said the 16 cases uncovered on school grounds were a sign authorities needed to remain vigilant, as the incidents showed teenagers could conceal space oil cartridges among vape pen paraphernalia. 'A common reason for taking space oil is due to peer pressure,' he said. 'If we can foster an atmosphere in schools where students can remind each other that space oil is something to steer clear of, they will know not to take it if they encounter the drug.'
