Ohio Drug-Related Crime Statistics

Drug abuse is related to crime in several ways. Drug addiction can inhibit a person’s cognition, compromise rational thinking and decision-making capabilities, and trigger violent and reckless behavior.

Drugged driving, drug possession and use, and drug trafficking are also ways drugs are linked to crime.

Good to Know: Ohio Addiction Research

This fact sheet compiles key statistics about drug-related crimes in Ohio.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Ohio City has a drug-related crime rate of 0.1050 per 1000 residents, ranking in the 97th percentile for safety.
• Glenmore’s drug-related crime rate is 0.0813 per 1000 residents, placing it in the 99th percentile for safety.
• In 2001, the combined percentage of powdered crack and cocaine-related sentences accounted for 53% of all drug-related federal sentences in the Southern District of Ohio, surpassing the national average of 43%.
• In 2002, publicly funded treatment facilities in Ohio admitted 400 patients for drug abuse related to marijuana.
• The Ohio State Highway Patrol arrested 104,845 individuals for driving under the influence between 2018 and 2023.

Drug-Related Crime Rates by Ohio Localities

This graph represents the overall drug-related crime rate in ten Ohio areas. 

Ohio City 

• According to CrimeGrade, Ohio City’s drug-related crime rate is 0.1050 per 1000 residents in a standard year. This earns Ohio City an A+ grade in terms of drug-related crime safety. 

• Ohio City’s drug-related crime rate is significantly lower than the average U.S. city. It ranks in the 97th percentile for drug-related crime safety—meaning 97% of cities are more dangerous and 3% are safer than Ohio City. 

• A person’s chance of becoming a victim of a drug-related crime is about 1 in 3216 in southwest neighborhoods and 1 in 23,316 in the northern region of Ohio City. 

Glenmore

• Glenmore’s drug-related crime rate is 0.0813 per 1000 residents in a standard year, earning it an A+ grade in terms of drug crime safety.

• Glenmore ranks in the 99th percentile for drug-related crime safety.

• A person’s chance of becoming a victim of a drug-related crime is about 1 in 7645 in west neighborhoods and 1 in 24,102 in the southern region of Glenmore. 

Middlebury

• Middlebury’s drug-related crime rate is 0.1528 per 1000 residents in a standard year, which earns it an A+ grade in terms of drug-related crime safety. 

• Middlebury ranks in the 95th percentile for drug-related crime safety in the U.S.

• An individual’s chance of becoming a victim of a drug-related crime is about 1 in 6320 in Middlebury’s west neighborhoods and 1 in 7104 in the eastern areas. 

Wren

• Wren’s drug-related crime rate is 0.1353 per 1000 residents in a standard year. This earns Wren an A+ grade for drug-related crime safety. 

• Wren ranks in the 96th percentile for drug-related crime safety, according to CrimeGrade. 

• As a resident of Wren, an individual’s average chance of becoming a victim of a drug-related crime is about 1 in 6888 in northwest neighborhoods and 1 in 7645 in the western areas. 

Dull

• Dull’s drug-related crime rate is 0.8056 per 1000 residents in a standard year, giving it a C grade in terms of drug-related crime safety. 

• Dull ranks in the 45th percentile for drug-related crime safety.

• When it comes to drug-related crime, the western part of Dull is considered the safest region. A person’s chance of becoming a victim of a drug-related crime is about 1 in 543 in southern neighborhoods and 1 in 24,102 in the western areas. 

Van Wert

• Van Wert’s drug-related crime rate is 1.152 per 1000 residents in a standard year, which gives it a D+ grade in terms of drug-related crime safety. 

• Van Wert ranks in the 29th percentile for drug-related crime safety.

• A person’s chance of becoming a victim of a drug-related crime is about 1 in 440 in Van Wert’s central neighborhoods and 1 in 1989 in the southeastern region.

Willshire

• Willshire has a drug-related crime rate of 0.3100 per 1000 residents in a standard year. This earns Willshire an A grade in terms of drug-related crime safety. 

• Willshire ranks in the 85th percentile for drug-related crime safety in the U.S.

• A person’s average chance of becoming a victim of a drug-related crime is about 1 in 989 in Willshire’s southern regions and 1 in 29,313 in the western region.

Mercer

• Mercer records a drug-related crime rate of 0.7106 per 1000 residents, resulting in a C+ grade for its drug-related crime safety.

• Mercer ranks in the 51st percentile for drug-related crime safety.

• Residents of Mercer regard the western part as the safest in terms of drug-related crime. As a Mercer resident, one’s average likelihood of experiencing a drug-related crime is approximately 1 in 1188 in the southeastern areas and 1 in 1635 in the western area.

Rockford

• Rockford has a drug-related crime rate of 1.106 per 1000 residents in a standard year. This earns Rockford a C- grade in terms of drug-related crime safety. 

• Rockford ranks in the 31st percentile for drug-related crime safety.

• An individual’s chance of becoming a victim of a drug-related crime is about 1 in 543 in northwestern regions and 1 in 2273 in the western region of Rockford.

Venedocia 

• Venedocia has a drug-related crime rate of 0.2118 per 1000 residents in a standard year. This gives Venedocia an A grade in terms of drug-related crime safety. 

• Venedocia ranks in the 92nd percentile for drug-related crime safety.

• According to CrimeGrade, for a resident of Venedocia, the average probability of experiencing a drug-related crime is approximately 1 in 1775 in the northern regions and 1 in 24102 in the western region. 

Good to Know: Ohio Mental Health Statistics

Ohio Drug-Related Crime Statistics by Type of Drug

The table below shows the percentage of federal sentences related to four types of drugs in Southern Ohio, contrasted with the national percentage:

Cocaine 

• In 2002, 481 cocaine-related admissions were made to addiction treatment centers in Dayton, higher than for all other illicit drugs in the city.

• According to the United States Sentencing Commission, in 2001, powdered crack and cocaine-related sentences made up 53% of all drug-related federal sentences in the Southern District of Ohio. This percentage was significantly higher than the national percentage (43%). 

• In Southern Ohio, powdered cocaine-related federal sentences (53 sentences) were higher than crack cocaine-related sentences (16 sentences) in 2001.  That shows how cocaine addiction is dangerous.

• According to the National Drug Threat Assessment Report 2007, 24 out of the 36 state/local law enforcement respondents in Ohio reported that crack cocaine was the drug most commonly linked to violent and property crime. 

Need to Know: Cocaine Detox Center in Ohio

Marijuana 

• In 2002, 400 patients were admitted into publicly funded treatment facilities for marijuana-related drug abuse, according to the Montgomery County Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services Board. This was the largest number for any illicit drug other than cocaine. 

• According to the United States Sentencing Commission, 32% of all drug-related federal sentences in 2001 were linked to marijuana in the Southern District of Ohio. This was similar to the national percentage of marijuana-related sentences (33%). 

Heroin 

• In 2002, 126 heroin-related admissions were made to publicly funded treatment facilities in Dayton, according to the Montgomery County Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services Board. Heroin was a factor in 44 deaths, higher than any other illicit drug. 

• According to the United States Sentencing Commission, 9% of drug-related federal sentences in 2001 in the Southern District of Ohio were related to heroin addiction. This was slightly higher than the national percentage that year, which was 7%. 

Need to Know: Heroin Detox Center in Ohio

Other Drugs 

• The United States Sentencing Commission reports that in 2001, only 5% of all drug-related federal sentences in the Southern District of Ohio were linked to methamphetamine addiction. This is significantly lower than the national percentage of meth-related crimes (14%), owing to the limited availability of meth in Southern Ohio. 

Good to Know: Homelessness Statistics Ohio

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Ohio Drug Laws Strict?

Ohio has some of the strictest drug regulations in the United States. Any drug charge in the state constitutes a federal crime. The law also establishes strict mandatory minimum sentence requirements, meaning individuals can face harsh penalties for drug possession and use even if they are battling addiction. 

Is Marijuana Possession a Crime in Ohio?

No, possession of marijuana up to 70 grams is legal for adults over 21 years of age in Ohio. Possession of higher amounts of marijuana comes with misdemeanor charges, fines, and imprisonment of up to 30 days in serious cases. 

What Are F5 Drugs in Ohio?

F5 drugs are those drugs whose possession and use can result in fifth-degree felony convictions in Ohio. These include marijuana (more than 200g), cocaine (less than 5g), heroin (less than 1g), LSD (less than 10-unit doses), and crystal meth (less than 3g) among others.

How Common is DUI in Ohio?

According to Ohio DUI statistics, 104, 845 drunken drivers were arrested by the Ohio State Highway Patrol between 2018 and 2023.

Data Sources 

1. https://crimegrade.org/drug-crimes-ohio-city-oh/ 
2. https://www.justice.gov/archive/ndic/pubs5/5403/5403p.pdf 
3. https://www.ojp.gov/ncjrs/virtual-library/abstracts/united-states-sentencing-commission-annual-report-2001 
4. https://www.justice.gov/archive/ndic/pubs21/21137/21137p.pdf