Trends in drug offences and the role of alcohol and drugs in crime

The police-reported drug crime rate has risen an estimated 42% since the early 1990s and now stands at a 20-year high. Three in four drug-related incidents in 2002 involved cannabis offences, about 72% of which were possession offences.

The overall drug-related crime rate has been on an upward trend since 1993, driven by increases in cannabis possession, as well as production and importation offences. The cannabis offence rate has risen approximately 80% from 1992 to 2002, largely the result of increased numbers of possession offences. Trafficking offences declined over the same period.

Police reported almost 93,000 incidents related to the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act in 2002. Of these, about two-thirds were for possession, 22% were for trafficking, and the remainder were for offences involving importation and production.

From 1992 to 2002, about one in 10 homicides involved activities such as trafficking or the settling of drug-related accounts. Cocaine was involved in 60% of these drug-related homicides.

Young adults, adolescents have highest rates for drug-related offences

The incident-based Uniform Crime Reporting Survey (UCR2) captures detailed information on individual criminal incidents reported to police. Data from this non-representative subset account for 56% of the national volume of crime.

Based upon the UCR2, young adults aged 18 to 24 had the highest drug-related offence rate in 2002 (860 offences for every 100,000 people), followed by youth aged 12 to 17 (645 offences for every 100,000 people).

Rates for both cannabis possession and cannabis trafficking offences were also highest among young adults aged 18 to 24, followed by 12- to 17-year-olds in both instances.

The age group 18 to 24 also recorded the highest rates for cocaine trafficking and possession. Rates for both offences declined with age.

Provincial rates

There are a number of factors that can affect the rate of drug-related incidents, including differences in, and changes to, local police resources and enforcement priorities.

In 2002, among the provinces, the rate of drug-related incidents was highest in British Columbia, at 544 per 100,000 population, almost double the national rate (295). This was followed by Saskatchewan, at 351, and New Brunswick, at 343. Rates of drug offences in British Columbia have been above the national average each year for the past 25 years.

Since 1993, all provinces have shown an increase in the number of drug offences reported by police. New Brunswick has had the largest increase (+134%), followed by Saskatchewan (+97%) and Quebec (+81%).

Among census metropolitan areas (CMAs) in 2002, the highest rates of police-reported drug offences were in Thunder Bay, Vancouver, and Victoria.

Rates of drug offences across CMAs have varied considerably over the past decade, although rates in Vancouver and Victoria were among the highest in each year.

Drug-related incidents account for nearly one in ten court cases

In 2001/02, for the eight provinces and one territory providing drug case data to the Adult Criminal Court Survey, drug offences represented 9% of all adult criminal court cases. Cases were equally distributed between possession and trafficking.

Drug-related cases accounted for 7% of cases processed in youth courts; 5% were for possession and 2% for trafficking.

Half of adult and youth court cases resulted in a finding of guilt

For reporting jurisdictions, the accused was found guilty in about half of drug-related cases heard in adult criminal court and 54% of youth court cases in 2001/02. The accused was acquitted in 1% of adult and youth court drug cases.

About 42% of cases resulted in charges being stayed, withdrawn or dismissed in adult courts, while 44% of cases were stayed, withdrawn or dismissed in youth courts.

About 4% of adult cases were resolved through other means. For example, an accused may have been unfit to stand trial and some cases may have been transferred in, or out, of a province or territory.

Majority of possession convictions result in a fine for adults and probation for youth

Cases in both adult and youth courts can result in multiple sentences. In 2001/02, more than half (57%) of adult drug possession cases resulting in convictions in reporting jurisdictions received a fine. Probation and prison dispositions were imposed in 28% and 12% of cases, respectively, while case convictions resulted in a conditional sentence in 1% of drug possession.

In youth court, the majority (56%) of drug possession cases resulted in a probation sentence. Community service was ordered in less than one-third of cases, while about one in five were given a fine. Courts ordered custody in 5% of youth drug possession case convictions.

In both adult and youth court, trafficking offences were dealt with more harshly than drug possession crimes. In adult court, trafficking convictions resulted in a prison sentence in 42% of cases. Probation and conditional sentences were each ordered in 30% of cases, while fines were issued in 20% of convictions.

In youth courts, probation was imposed in 83% of convicted trafficking cases, while custody (secure or open) sentences were ordered in 21% of cases and fines in 9%. Community service was imposed in 43% of youth trafficking cases.

About one in 10 homicides involved drugs

From 1992 to 2002, 684 homicide incidents in Canada were reported to be drug-related, representing 11% of all incidents during that period.

Cocaine was involved in 60% of drug-related homicide incidents, while cannabis was involved in 20%, heroin in 5% and other unspecified drugs in 15%. In addition, 26% of all drug-related homicides were also gang-related.

From 1992 to 2002, British Columbia and Quebec each accounted for 29% of drug-related homicides, the highest proportions. They were followed by Ontario, with 24%.

Heroin and cocaine involvement were highest in British Columbia. About 58% of heroin-related homicide incidents occurred there, as well as 33% of cocaine-related incidents.

Definitions, data sources and methods: survey numbers, including related surveys, 3302, 3309, 3312, 3315 and 4505.

Juristat: Trends in Drug Offences and the Role of Alcohol and Drugs in Crime, 2002, Vol. 24, no. 1 (85-002-XIE, $9/$75; 85-002-XPE, $11/$100) is now available.

For more information, or to enquire about the concepts, methods or data quality of this release, contact Information and Client Services (1-800-387-2231; 613-951-9023), Canadian Centre for Justice Statistics.