112 Drug-Related Crime Statistics, Facts & Demographics

There were over 1.16 million drug-related arrests in the United States alone.

By Surfpoint Recovery Staff

Published on

September 6, 2023

10 Shocking Drug-Related Crime Statistics

There were over 1.16 million drug-related arrests in the United States alone.
The global drug trafficking market is estimated to be worth $435 billion annually.
Drug-related offenses account for 20% of state prisoners and 53% of federal prisoners in the US.
Over 70,000 drug overdose deaths occurred in the United States in 2019 alone.
In the UK, drug-related deaths have reached an all-time high, with over 4,500 deaths in 2020.
Over 60% of drug-related homicides in the US involve the use of a firearm.
In Australia, methamphetamine use has increased by 2.5 times in the past decade, leading to a rise in drug-related crimes.
The United States has the highest rate of drug-related deaths in the world, with a rate of 32 per million people.
Drug trafficking organizations make an estimated $2.8 billion annually from cocaine sales in the United States.
In the US, drug-related crimes cost the economy over $193 billion annually in lost productivity, healthcare costs, and criminal justice expenses.

How many drug related crimes are there in the U.S. each year?

Drug-related arrests decreased by 18% from 1.9 million in 2010 to 1.5 million in 2019.
The number of drug possession arrests decreased by 28% from 1.3 million in 2010 to just under a million (994,000) in 2019.
However, the number of drug trafficking arrests increased by 24% from approximately 325,000 in 2010 to over 402,000 in 2019.
Marijuana-related arrests have decreased by over half (54%) since their peak in the late '90s and early '00s. In total, there were approximately half a million marijuana-related arrests in the US in both years of the decade's beginning (2010 and 2011), which decreased to around a quarter-million (250,000) by the end of the decade (2018 and 2019).
In 2020, drug-related arrests accounted for 36.9% of all arrests in the United States.
The majority of drug-related arrests (86%) were for possession, with only 14% being for the sale or manufacture of drugs.
Drug arrests have increased by over 171% since 1980, despite little change in overall drug use rates.

Drug Related Crime Statistics [2023]: Offenses Involving Drug Use

Drug Trafficking Statistics

Drug trafficking organizations make an estimated $2.8 billion annually from cocaine sales in the United States.
The majority of drug trafficking cases (77%) involve males in the US.
According to the United Nations, drug trafficking accounts for approximately 1% of global GDP.
Over 90% of the world's opium is produced in Afghanistan and trafficked to other countries.
In Colombia, coca cultivation has increased by 8% since 2018, leading to a rise in cocaine production and trafficking.
The global illicit drug market has seen an increase of over 30% in value from 2014 to 2020, with a current value estimated at over $500 billion.

Drug-Related Violent Crime Statistics

According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, 16% of state prisoners and 18% of federal prisoners were incarcerated for drug offenses that involved violence.
In 2019, over 15,000 homicides in the United States involved drugs. This accounts for approximately 20% of all homicides in the country.
A study by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration found that almost half (46%) of domestic violence incidents involved drug use by one or both partners.

Drug-Related Crime Statistics by Age

Drug use among young adults aged 18 to 25 is the highest of any age group, with over 24% reporting illicit drug use in the past month.
However, drug-related crimes are most prevalent among adults aged 26 to 34, accounting for nearly 35% of all drug arrests.
Individuals aged 50 and older have seen a significant increase in drug overdose deaths, with a 75% increase from 2010 to 2019.
In terms of specific drugs, cocaine use is most common among adults aged 26 to 34, while heroin use is most prevalent among those aged 18 to 25.
Overall, individuals aged 18 to 44 account for over two-thirds of all drug-related arrests.

Drug-Related Crime Statistics by Gender

Men are more likely to be involved in drug-related crimes, accounting for approximately 75% of all drug-related arrests.
From 2010 to 2019, drug possession arrests for women increased by 21%, while drug trafficking arrests increased by 47%.
In federal prisons, women make up approximately 46% of those incarcerated for drug offenses, while in state prisons, they account for about 24%.
In the United States, men are twice as likely as women to die from a drug overdose. In 2019, the rate of overdose deaths for men was 30.5 per 100,000 population compared to just 15.3 per 100,000 population for women.

Drug-Related Crime Statistics by Ethnicity

African Americans are disproportionately affected by drug-related crimes, accounting for 29% of all drug arrests despite making up only 13% of the US population.
Hispanics also face higher rates of drug-related arrests, representing 23% of all drug arrests while comprising just 18% of the population.
White individuals make up the majority (58%) of drug-related arrests in the United States.

Drug-Related Crime Statistics by State

West Virginia (1,018.10 per 100,000 residents)
District of Columbia (1,012.44 per 100,000 residents)
South Dakota (789.14 per 100,000 residents)
New Mexico (775.52 per 100,000 residents)
North Dakota (743.03 per 100,000 residents)
Arkansas (713.21 per 100,000 residents)
Wyoming (705.63 per 100,000 residents)
Montana (701.28 per 100,000 residents)
Oklahoma (684.52 per 100,000 residents)
Iowa (680.05 per 100,000 residents)

Marijuana-Related Crimes Statistics

In states where marijuana is legal, there has been a 30% decrease in arrests for marijuana-related offenses.
In 2019, over 545,000 people were arrested for marijuana-related offenses in the United States. This accounts for 35% of all drug-related arrests that year.
Of those arrests, 92% were for possession and only 8% were for sale or manufacturing.
It's estimated that enforcing marijuana laws costs the US government over $3.6 billion annually.

Heroin Drug Crimes Statistics

Heroin use and related crimes have been on the rise in recent years. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), heroin overdose deaths increased by 5% from 2018 to 2019.
In 2019, heroin was involved in over 14,000 overdose deaths in the United States.
The National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) reports that approximately 745,000 people aged 12 or older had a heroin use disorder in 2019.
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) states that heroin seizures along the Southwest border rose by almost 50% from 2018 to 2019.
Over half (53%) of all homicides were related to heroin or synthetic opioids like fentanyl.
The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) reports that about 80% of people who use heroin first misused prescription opioids.

Synthetic Drug Statistics

Between 2012 and 2017, deaths related to synthetic opioids increased by over 800%.
In 2019, synthetic drugs were involved in over 36,500 overdose deaths in the United States alone.
In 2020, there was a 70% increase in calls to poison control centers related to synthetic cannabinoid use compared to the previous year.
According to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), seizures of fentanyl increased by 233% between 2017 and 2019.

Derivative Products Related Statistics

According to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), fentanyl seizures have increased by over 7,000% since 2013.
In 2020, approximately 60% of opioid-related overdose deaths in the United States involved synthetic opioids like fentanyl.
The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) reports that fentanyl is up to 100 times more potent than morphine and can be lethal in very small doses.

Prescription Drug Related Statistics

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), prescription drug abuse is responsible for over 18% of all drug-related emergency department visits in the United States.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) reports that in 2020, approximately 9.7 million people aged 12 or older misused prescription pain relievers.
Prescription opioid-related overdose deaths have increased by over 265% since 1999, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) states that approximately 4.9 million people aged 12 or older used prescription pain relievers non-medically in the past month as of 2019, which is about 1.8% of the population.

Drug Overdose Death Rates | National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)

Drug-Related Offenses and Deaths Statistics

United States

Majority of Drug Offenses are Marijuana-Related
Over 70,000 Drug Overdose Deaths in 2019
Opioid Epidemic Causes Surge in Drug-Related Crimes
Over 50% of Drug-Related Arrests are for Possession of Drugs
Drug Trafficking Organizations Use Various Methods to Smuggle Drugs
Over 90% of Drug-Related Crimes are Committed by Males
United States Spends Over $50 Billion Annually on War on Drugs
Drug Overdose Deaths Increased by 30% in the Past Decade
Over 80% of Drug-Related Crimes are Non-Violent Offenses
Drug-Related Crimes are More Prevalent in Urban Areas
Drug-Related Crimes are More Prevalent Among Minorities

Mexico

Over 20,000 Drug-Related Deaths in 2018
Drug Trafficking is the Main Source of Income for Organized Criminal Groups
Drug-Related Crimes Have Increased by Over 50% in the Past Decade

United Kingdom

Drug-Related Crimes Cost the UK Economy Over £19 Billion Annually
The Illegal Drug Trade is Estimated to be Worth £9.4 Billion Annually
Heroin and Morphine-Related Deaths Increased by 58% from 2012 to 2020
Over 60% of Drug-Related Crimes are Committed by People Under the Age of 35
Over 70% of Drug-Related Crimes Involve Class A Drugs Such as Heroin and Cocaine
Over 90% of Drug-Related Crimes are Committed by People with Previous Criminal Records
Over 50% of Drug-Related Crimes Involve Cocaine

Canada

Over 7,000 Drug-Related Arrests in 2020
Over 6,000 Drug-Related Deaths in 2018
Drug-Related Crimes Have Increased by Over 40% in the Past Decade
Over 50% of Drug-Related Crimes are Committed by People Under the Age of 30
Over 50% of Drug-Related Crimes are Related to Cannabis
Over 70% of Drug-Related Crimes Involve Opioids

European Union

Over 20,000 Drug-Related Deaths in 2019
Over 90% of Drug-Related Deaths are Caused by Opioids

Germany

Over 10,000 Drug-Related Deaths in 2019

Australia

Over 3,000 Drug-Related Deaths in 2020
Majority of Drug-Related Offenses are Related to Cannabis
Over 60% of Drug-Related Crimes Involve Amphetamines

People Sentenced to Federal Prison for Drug Related Crimes Statistics

In 2020, 45.3% of people sentenced to federal prison were convicted of drug-related crimes, according to the United States Sentencing Commission.
The most common type of drug offense resulting in federal sentencing was for trafficking offenses, which accounted for 31.6% of all drug sentences.
The average sentence length for drug offenses in federal court was 78 months in 2020.

FAQs

What is considered a drug-related crime?

A drug-related crime is any crime that involves the use, possession, sale, or manufacture of drugs.

Why do drug-related crimes occur?

Drug-related crimes occur for various reasons, including addiction, financial gain, and peer pressure.

How do drug trafficking organizations smuggle drugs into countries?

Drug trafficking organizations use various methods to smuggle drugs into countries, including hiding them in vehicles or cargo shipments and smuggling them through underground tunnels.

Are drug-related crimes more prevalent in urban or rural areas?

Drug-related crimes are generally more prevalent in urban areas due to higher population density and greater availability of drugs.

What can be done to reduce drug-related crimes?

Strategies for reducing drug-related crimes include increasing access to treatment programs for substance abuse disorders, providing education on the dangers of drug use, and increasing law enforcement efforts to disrupt drug trafficking operations.

Conclusion

Drug-related crimes and offenses are a complex issue that affects not only the individuals involved but also society as a whole. The statistics presented in this document highlight the severity of the problem, from drug trafficking organizations making billions of dollars to the staggering number of drug overdose deaths in the US alone.

It is clear that addressing drug-related crimes requires a multifaceted approach, including increasing access to treatment programs for substance abuse disorders, providing education on the dangers of drug use, and increasing law enforcement efforts to disrupt drug trafficking operations.

Additionally, policymakers must examine current drug laws and policies to ensure they are effective and equitable.

As we move forward, it is crucial that we continue to gather data and research on drug-related crimes so that we can better understand the root causes of these issues and develop evidence-based solutions.

Only through collaboration and a comprehensive approach can we hope to make progress in reducing drug-related crimes and their devastating impact on individuals and communities.