Information and Legislation related to Illicit Drugs

Information related to Illicit Drugs

Common DrugsStreet NamesMedical UseEffects / Side-effects
KetamineSpecial K, K, Kit Kat, Vitamin KSurgical anaestheticUsers will experience a sense of euphoria, floating and dissociation; long term use will result in memory loss, muscle dysfunction, addiction, heart problems, loss of consciousness, hallucination, frequent urination, urinary incontinence and brain damage
Crystal methamphetamineIce, cold stuff, snowboardNoInsomnia, agitation, panic and delirium, anxiety and tension, skin sores, depression, heart failure, violent behavior as a result of hallucination and feeling of persecution; high dosage intake may lead to toxic psychosis, convulsions, coma, brain haemorrhage and death
HeroinWhite powder, No.4, American money, HK moneyNoDependence, drowsiness, respiratory depression and nausea; withdrawal syndrome include: watery eyes, runny nose, yawning, loss of appetite, irritability, tremors, panic, chills, sweating, cramps
CocaineCoke, crack, flake, snow, stardust, Charlie, gold dust, cocoLocal or topical anaestheticAddiction, respiratory damage, mania, paranoid delusion, impaired memory, hallucination, delirium, heart disease and nasal damage
CannabisMarijuana, hash, grassNoHallucination, impaired coordination, addiction, heightened risk of cancer, reduced concentration, impaired memory and judgment, depression and extreme suspicion of others,Irritability and short temper, respiratory disease; regular users of cannabis are more likely to try other illicit drugs
Cough MedicineRobo, DXMCough suppressantsMemory loss, slow to react, reduced breathing rate, brain damage, intoxication and drug induced mental disorders, tooth decay; many abusers underestimate the addictiveness of cough medicine and gradually increase the dosages and thus the risks
New and trendy drugsAppearanceComponentsEffects / Side-effects
Chat / Arabian TeaResembles Chinese spinach and looks like tea leaves when driedCathinoneStimulating the Central Nervous System,leading to delusions, confusion in thinking, cardiovascular diseases and death
NBOMe / Smiley Paper / N-bombDecorated stampLSD, cocaine and stimulantsIncreased heart-rate, euphoria, hallucinations, seizures and death
Fire fox / 5-MeO-DIPTWhite powder in capsulesTryptaminePupil dilation, nausea, vomit, distorted hearing and vision, diarrhea and death
K2Appearance similar to herbs and tea leavesSynthetic cannabinoidEuphoria, hallucination, nausea, vomit, seizures and violent behavior
Bath saltWhite PowderMethcathinoneInsomnia, delusion, depression, hallucination, self-harm and suicidal behavior, mental disorder, violent behavior, increased blood pressure and heart rate as well as renal failure
Happy Water / Happy Powder drugWater-like solvent / sanding sugarKetamine and Methoxy-methamphetamineEuphoria, increased body temperature, sexual excitment, shock and death

Reference : Narcotics Division, Security Bureau, The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, www.nd.gov.hk/en/druginfo.htm

Legisation against drug-related behavior

Cap. 134 Dangerous Drugs Ordinance

BehaviorRelevant legistation contravenenedMaximum FineMaxium penalty of Imprisonment
(a)have in possession; or
(b) smoke, inhale, ingest or inject, a dangerous drug.		Possession of dangerous drug otherwise than for trafficking, and consumption of dangerous drug$1,000,000Seven years
Drug traffickingTrafficking in dangerous drug$5,000,000Lifetime imprisonment
Manufacturing dangerous drugManufacture of dangerous drug$5,000,000Lifetime imprisonment
Possessing equipment for drug usePossession of pipes, equipment etc.$10,000Three years

Capt. 374 Road Traffic (Amendment) Ordinance 2011

  1. If a person drives under the influence of a specified illicit drug to such an extent as to be incapable of having proper control of the motor vehicle,
  2. anyone to drive with any concentration of the six specified illicit drugs present in his or her blood or urine (namely namely heroin, ketamine, methamphetamine, cannabis, cocaine and MDMA), whether his or her driving ability is impaired or not.
Legislaton contravenenedMaxium FineMaximum penalty of imprisonmentDriving disqualification (minimum)
Driving under the influence of a specified illicit drug ( whether his or her driving ability is impaired or not)$25,0003 years5 years
Driving under the influence of a specified illicit drug (to such an extent as to be incapable of having proper control of the motor vehicle)$25,0003 years10 years

Reference : Hong Kong e-Legislation, www.elegislation.gov.hk