| Age-specific Arrest Rate Trends |
| Q: |
What is the trend for age-specific arrest rates for drug law violations? |
| A: |
Across ages, drug abuse violation arrest rates were higher in 2010 than in 1980. |
Drug law violation arrests per 100,000 population, 1980, 1997, 2010
| Age |
1980 |
1997 |
2010 |
|
| 10 to 12 |
14.6 |
24.8 |
29.6 |
| 13 to 14 |
185.6 |
309.2 |
314.9 |
| Age 15 |
515.1 |
794.1 |
705.1 |
| Age 16 |
767.7 |
1,246.8 |
1,049.1 |
| Age 17 |
986.4 |
1,644.5 |
1,498.8 |
| Age 18 |
1,144.3 |
2,160.2 |
2,278.0 |
| Age 19 |
1,111.4 |
1,960.7 |
2,314.9 |
| Age 20 |
1,052.2 |
1,775.0 |
2,114.4 |
| Age 21 |
973.3 |
1,650.5 |
1,935.9 |
| Age 22 |
875.1 |
1,508.0 |
1,749.6 |
| Age 23 |
778.0 |
1,405.1 |
1,617.8 |
| Age 24 |
707.1 |
1,335.5 |
1,513.8 |
| 25 to 29 |
485.6 |
1,160.8 |
1,247.3 |
| 30 to 34 |
262.6 |
977.5 |
900.4 |
| 35 to 39 |
139.7 |
721.1 |
623.2 |
| 40 to 44 |
79.9 |
445.6 |
516.1 |
| 45 to 49 |
49.8 |
230.3 |
411.3 |
| 50 to 54 |
30.0 |
113.8 |
266.4 |
| 55 to 59 |
22.6 |
56.0 |
135.8 |
| 60 to 64 |
13.1 |
26.6 |
58.7 |
[ Graph version ]
[ Excel file ]
- The peak year for juvenile drug abuse violation arrest rates was 1997. Between 1980 and 1997, arrest rates doubled on average for youth ages 15-17, as did arrest rates for adults ages 18-24. By comparison, rates for adults ages 30-34 tripled and rates for those ages 40-44 increased by a factor of 6.
- Between 1997 and 2010, drug abuse violation arrest rates declined for juveniles and young adults under age 21. More specifically, the rate fell 29% for youth ages 15-17, compared with 8% for adults ages 18-20. Rates increased somewhat for adults ages 21-24 and those ages 25-29 (up 2% and 6%, respectively).
- Overall from 1980 to 2010, the drug abuse violation arrest rates for youth ages 15-17 increased 42%. In comparison, the rates increased more for adults age 18 and older. More specifically, the rates increased 104% for adults ages 18-24, 157% for adults ages 25-29, 243% for those ages 30-34, 346% for those ages 35-39, and 546% for those ages 40-44. Even the arrest rates for adults ages 60-64 increased 348%.
Internet citation: OJJDP Statistical Briefing Book. Online. Available: http://www.ojjdp.gov/ojstatbb/crime/qa05308.asp?qaDate=2010.
Released on April 17, 2013. Data Source: Arrest estimates developed by the Bureau of Justice Statistics and disseminated through “Arrest Data Analysis Tool.” Online. Available from the BJS website.
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