#WorldDrugDay: Better Education, Care and Peer Support

The United Nation proposes that in the face of drug issues, evidence shows it is always better to “Invest in Prevention”– a sentiment that coincides with KELY’s preventative approach to drug and alcohol issues.

From traditional hard drugs like heroin and cocaine to softer drugs such as cannabis and amphetamines, and even emerging substances like space oil drug in recent years, drug types, compositions, and dealers' sales methods evolve continuously. Facing these ever-changing challenges, KELY maintains one consistent approach: equipping youth with resistance and harm reduction strategies through drug education, as well as peer support skills so that they can offer timely support for each other when needed.

The Rise of Space Oil Drug among Youth

Of particular concern is etomidate, which has been formally incorporated into the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance on 14 February. It is one of the most commonly found components in space oil drug. According to latest reports:

Space oil drug have surpassed cannabis as the most frequently used drugs among youth in Hong Kong.

Health Risks and Regulatory Challenges of Space Oil Drug

Research on the long-term health risks of using space oil drug are still in progress across the medical and public health sector. Its complex and variable composition often includes etomidate mixed with unknown harmful substances. While expansion of the regulatory scope is already in discussion among government bodies, it is hard for the legislative process to keep pace with the speed at which drugs evolve. To tackle the issue at its core, we have to raise general awareness on the harm of these harmful substances. This is particularly important in the youth community, as they are often influenced by their peers and are always under pressure from multiple sources – for every dollar invested in education and prevention, ten are saved down the line on intervention.

KELY’s Response to Space Oil Drug Threats

In response to the proliferation of space oil drug, we have already updated and refurbished our education materials and programme services. These include:

  • Enhancing our partnerships with schools and institutions to provide education and knowledge on space oil drug issues, including its potential harm to the body, so that they are empowered to make smarter informed decisions when facing invitations to use drugs or when they are under high pressure.

  • Nurturing students’ responsible decision-making skills to use more healthy and positive ways to regulate their emotions.

  • Equipping more young people with peer support skills, so that they are empowered to extend a helping hand to other youths in need by using the emotional support skills that they have acquired in our workshops.

How Can You Help Youth Around You?

If a youth around you is showing signs of considering using drugs, there are many ways to help them. For example, when you see them being pressured to take drugs, you can step in and say something.

If your friend is already using dangerous drugs, alcohol or other harmful substances, choose the right time and location to create a safe space where you can openly talk about the issue. These tips may be helpful:

  • Empathise before you act: try to understand their feelings and emotions. Do not criticise them and adopt a non-judgemental mindset to avoid hurting them further.

  • Build trust with patience: tell them clearly that you are willing to stand with them throughout the process, so that they know you are someone whom they can trust.

  • Haste makes waste: if they show resistance, do not force them – being too hard often makes things worse.

  • Validation and affirmation: while providing support, show your appreciation and acknowledge their efforts. This will help them build confidence to overcome their hardships.

Overcoming addiction or dependence is a long and painful process. As a peer supporter, we must first be able to regulate and stabilise our own emotions, so that we can provide emotional support for others. We should also actively seek help from professionals if needed. When we support each other, we can sail through these rough tides towards calm seas and silver linings.

A Call to Action on World Drug Day

26 June is the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, aka World Drug Day. We take this day to call all individuals in our society, no matter adults or youth, to pay more attention to young people around them, and show your care when you spot any anomalies:

  • Be sincere and non-judgemental when you talk to them.

  • Listen with empathy to understand their situation.

  • Physically and emotionally support them to seek help.

We sincerely hope that more people will take this preventative approach with us, exercising empowerment instead of judgement, and turning one-man fights into a peer support alliance. If everyone in our community is willing to be a brick in the construction, we can build a great wall to keep young people from harm – a future where every young person is empowered to reach their full potential!

**Please consider making a donation to support KELY's youth work to provide better support for the young people in Hong Kong.