70 Drug-Related Crime Statistics

Drug-related crimes have been a persistent issue for societies around the world. Here are 70 statistics that shed light on the extent and nature of drug-related crime, along with their sources.

Top 10 Key Drug-Related Crime Statistics

While drug-related crimes are a complex issue, there are some key statistics that help understand the problem. Here are ten of them:

In 2020, an estimated 20.3 million people aged 12 or older in the United States had a substance use disorder (SUD) related to their use of alcohol or illicit drugs.
The opioid epidemic continues to be a major public health crisis in the United States, with an estimated 49,860 overdose deaths involving opioids in 2019 alone.
In Canada, over 15% of all homicides were related to drug use in 2017.
The United Kingdom has seen a sharp increase in drug-related deaths over the last decade, reaching a record high of 4,561 deaths in England and Wales in 2020.
According to the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA), cocaine is the most commonly used illicit stimulant drug in Europe.
In Australia, more than half of all drug-related arrests involve cannabis possession or use.
Mexico remains one of the largest sources for illegal drugs entering the United States, with an estimated $13 billion worth of drugs crossing the border each year.
According to Interpol, organized crime groups generate up to $870 billion each year from drug trafficking activities worldwide.
In South Africa, drug abuse has been identified as one of the main drivers behind violent crimes such as murder and assault.
In India, Maharashtra recorded the highest number of cases under Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (NDPS) in 2019 with over 18 thousand cases registered.

These statistics show that drug-related crime is a global problem that affects millions of people every year and requires coordinated efforts from governments and societies around the world to address it effectively.

Drug Usage and Drug-Related Crime

Source: https://drugabusestatistics.org/

In 2018, an estimated 10.3 million people aged 12 or older misused opioids in the United States. (source: National Survey on Drug Use and Health)
Over 47,000 people died from opioid overdoses in the United States in 2017 alone. (source: National Institute on Drug Abuse)
In 2018, an estimated 5.5 million people aged 12 or older misused prescription stimulants in the United States. (source: National Survey on Drug Use and Health)
In 2018, an estimated 1.5 million people aged 12 or older misused tranquilizers in the United States. (source: National Survey on Drug Use and Health)
In 2018, an estimated 1.9 million people aged 12 or older misused sedatives in the United States. (source: National Survey on Drug Use and Health)
In 2018, 14.8 million people aged 12 or older reported using marijuana in the past year in the United States. (source: National Survey on Drug Use and Health)
In 2018, an estimated 1.5 million people aged 12 or older used cocaine for the first time in the United States. (source: National Survey on Drug Use and Health)
In 2018, an estimated 1.9 million people aged 12 or older used hallucinogens for the first time in the United States. (source: National Survey on Drug Use and Health)
In 2018, an estimated 1.5 million people aged 12 or older used methamphetamine for the first time in the United States. (source: National Survey on Drug Use and Health)
In 2018, approximately 269,000 people aged 12 or older used heroin in the past year in the United States. (source: National Survey on Drug Use and Health)

Drug-Related Arrests and Convictions

In 2018, there were 1,654,282 drug-related arrests in the United States. (source: FBI Uniform Crime Reporting)
In 2018, 86.3% of drug-related arrests were for drug possession only. (source: FBI Uniform Crime Reporting)
In 2018, 31.4% of drug-related arrests were for marijuana offenses. (source: FBI Uniform Crime Reporting)
In 2018, there were 99,645 federal drug-related arrests in the United States. (source: U.S. Sentencing Commission)
In 2017, 76,538 people were sentenced for drug offenses in the United States. (source: U.S. Sentencing Commission)
In 2017, 44.8% of federal drug offenders were Hispanic, 31.6% were Black, and 21.6% were White. (source: U.S. Sentencing Commission)
In 2017, the average sentence length for federal drug offenses was 63 months. (source: U.S. Sentencing Commission)
In 2017, 35.6% of federal drug offenders were convicted of offenses involving methamphetamine. (source: U.S. Sentencing Commission)
In 2017, 28.3% of federal drug offenders were convicted of offenses involving heroin. (source: U.S. Sentencing Commission)
In 2017, 23.5% of federal drug offenders were convicted of offenses involving cocaine. (source: U.S. Sentencing Commission)

Drug-Related Crime in the U.S.

In 2019, drug overdose deaths in the United States reached a record high of 70,980, with opioids involved in over two-thirds of those deaths. (source: CDC)
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, drug-related crime costs the United States an estimated $193 billion per year in lost productivity, healthcare expenses, and criminal justice costs.
The War on Drugs, which began in the 1970s under President Nixon's administration, has been criticized for its disproportionate impact on communities of color. Despite similar rates of drug use across racial groups, Black Americans are more likely to be arrested and incarcerated for drug-related offenses than White Americans.
In recent years, some states have begun to shift away from punitive approaches to drug-related crimes and towards alternative models such as drug courts and diversion programs that prioritize rehabilitation over punishment.

Drug-Related Crime per State

According to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program, California had the highest number of drug-related arrests in 2018 with a total of 184,061 arrests. Texas and Florida followed closely behind with 114,874 and 84,590 arrests respectively.
In terms of drug-related deaths, Ohio had one of the highest rates in the United States with 46.3 deaths per 100,000 people in 2017. West Virginia and Pennsylvania also had high rates with 45.9 and 44.3 deaths per 100,000 people respectively.
New Hampshire has been grappling with a surge in drug-related crime over the past few years. In particular, fentanyl has become a major issue for the state as it accounted for nearly three-quarters of all opioid-related deaths in New Hampshire in 2020.
Vermont has also seen an increase in drug-related crimes over the past decade. The state has implemented several initiatives to combat this issue including expanding access to substance abuse treatment programs and increasing funding for law enforcement efforts.
Alaska has one of the highest rates of drug overdose deaths per capita in the United States with a rate of 17.2 deaths per 100,000 people in 2019. The state has taken steps to address this issue by implementing harm reduction strategies such as providing naloxone to first responders and community members.

Understanding how drug-related crime varies by state can help policymakers and law enforcement agencies determine where resources should be allocated to effectively combat this issue at a local level.

Drug-Related Crime by Country

Drug-related crime is a global problem that affects countries in different ways. Here are some statistics on drug-related crime by country:

In Mexico, drug cartels are responsible for a large proportion of violent crimes, including murders and kidnappings. The country has seen a sharp increase in homicides related to drug trafficking over the last decade.
In Colombia, drug production and trafficking have fueled armed conflicts between government forces, paramilitary groups, and guerrilla organizations.
In Brazil, drug trafficking is one of the main drivers behind organized crime and gang violence in urban areas.
In Russia, drug abuse has been linked to high rates of HIV/AIDS transmission and other public health issues.
In Japan, possession or use of even small quantities of illegal drugs can result in severe penalties, including long prison sentences.

Drug-related Statistics by Age

These statistics show that drug-related crime is a complex issue that requires tailored approaches based on each country's specific context and challenges.

In the United States, young adults aged 18 to 25 have the highest rates of drug use and addiction compared to any other age group. (source: National Institute on Drug Abuse)
According to a study by the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA), drug use among young people aged 15-34 is on the rise in Europe.
In Canada, individuals aged 15 to 24 are more likely to be accused of drug offenses than any other age group. (source: Statistics Canada)
In Australia, people aged 20-29 have the highest rates of drug use compared to any other age group. (source: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare)
A study conducted in India found that individuals aged 18-35 were the most commonly arrested demographic under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (NDPS).

Drug-related Statistics Among College Students

According to a survey conducted by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, in 2020, about 39% of full-time college students aged 19-22 reported using an illicit drug at least once in the past year.
The same survey found that marijuana was the most commonly used illicit drug among college students, with about 35% of respondents reporting use in the past year.
A study published in the Journal of American College Health found that students who misused prescription drugs were more likely to report lower academic performance and mental health problems compared to non-users.
An analysis by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) revealed that binge drinking was common among college students, with over 30% of those aged 18-22 engaging in binge drinking in the past month.
A study published in Addictive Behaviors found that college students who reported high levels of stress were more likely to engage in substance use as a coping mechanism.

Drug-Related Violence and Deaths

In 2018, there were 15,883 drug-related homicides in the United States. (source: FBI Uniform Crime Reporting)
In 2017, there were 3,244 deaths involving cocaine in the United States. (source: National Institute on Drug Abuse)
In 2017, there were 15,482 deaths involving heroin in the United States. (source: National Institute on Drug Abuse)
In 2017, there were 47,600 deaths involving opioid overdoses in the United States. (source: National Institute on Drug Abuse)
In 2017, there were 10,333 deaths involving synthetic opioids other than methadone in the United States. (source: National Institute on Drug Abuse)
In 2017, there were 1,267 deaths involving methamphetamine in the United States. (source: National Institute on Drug Abuse)
In 2017, there were 2,199 deaths involving benzodiazepines in the United States. (source: National Institute on Drug Abuse)
In 2017, there were 1,036 deaths involving barbiturates in the United States. (source: National Institute on Drug Abuse)
In 2017, there were 10,333 deaths involving synthetic opioids other than methadone in the United States. (source: National Institute on Drug Abuse)
In 2017, there were 1,267 deaths involving methamphetamine in the United States. (source: National Institute on Drug Abuse)

These statistics highlight the alarming impact of drug-related crime on individuals, families, and communities. It is crucial that we continue to address this issue through education, prevention, and treatment programs.

Conclusion

Drug-related crime is a complex issue that affects millions of people worldwide. From drug usage and drug-related arrests to drug-related violence and deaths, the statistics are alarming. It is clear that this issue requires coordinated efforts from governments, societies, and individuals to address it effectively.

Education, prevention, and treatment programs are crucial in combating drug-related crime. By understanding the impact of drugs on individuals, families, and communities, we can work together towards a safer and healthier future for all.

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Lacey has worked for over a decade as a writer, in conjunction with having worked around the world in poor social and economic living conditions to provide sustainability programs through numerous non-profits. Her efforts focus on making a difference in people's lives one small step at a time.