Australian Institue of Criminology

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Drug offences

Drug arrests from 1996–97 to 2006–07, by type of drug (number per year)

Drug arrests from 1996–97 to 2006–07, by type of drug (number per year)

a: Includes hallucinogens, steroids and other drugs (not defined elsewhere)

  • Since 1996–97, there has been a small overall decline of three percent in the annual number of arrests for drug offences. From 2005–06 to 2006–07, drug arrests increased by five percent.
  • Arrests for cannabis and heroin have both declined since 1996–97, by 18 percent and 70 percent respectively.
  • Arrests for amphetamines have more than tripled, increasing by 260 percent since 1996–97.
  • In 1996–97, 81 percent of drug arrests involved cannabis, compared with 69 percent in 2006–07.

Further information

Charts/fact sheets

Publications and data sources - Australia

Publications and data sources - other countries and international