Latest news with #KessonLee
RTHK
03-06-2025
- Health
- RTHK
HK aims to widen ban on space oil ingredients
HK aims to widen ban on space oil ingredients Commissioner for Narcotics Kesson Lee said Hong Kong would be the first place in the world to ban all etomidate analogues. File photo: RTHK The Security Bureau has proposed classifying all synthetic versions of etomidate, a space oil drug ingredient, as dangerous drugs. Speaking to the Legislative Council's security panel on Tuesday, Commissioner for Narcotics Kesson Lee noted that the government banned etomidate and its three analogues in February. However, scientific studies have proven that other analogues may also be turned into illegal drugs, despite the differences in their chemical structures, he said. 'It's just like no matter how a monster changes its form, it's still a monster.' Lee proposed introducing a generic definition of etomidate analogues under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, empowering law enforcement agencies to ban the trafficking of all etomidate analogues in a pre-emptive step. Lee said Hong Kong recorded 191 space oil drug abusers in the first quarter of this year, among which 128 were aged under 21. Since the government listed etomidate as a dangerous drug on February 14, the authorities have arrested 315 people and prevented at least 150,000 e-cartridges infused with the substance from entering the local market, authorities said. In addition, the government has vowed to step up the control of new dangerous chemicals, proposing to regulate six substances that have been put under international control recently.
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.'
