University of Southern Maine

News Releases

Violent Crime In Maine Reaches 10-Year Low, While Drug Arrests Increase
65 Percent

March 22, 2006

The reports confirm that Maine remains one of the safest states in the nation with the number of serious, violent crimes declining 22.8 percent between 1995 and 2004, while New Hampshire saw a 45.9 percent increase and Vermont a 5.3 percent decrease in the same period. As of 2004, Maine's violent crime rate was four and a half times lower than the rest of the country.

"While violent crimes decrease," said report author Mark Rubin and research analyst at the Muskie School, "the increase in arrests for drug abuse by adults and juveniles suggests that Maine is confronting a growing crisis around prescription drugs and drugs like ecstasy and methamphetamines."

While marijuana remains the primary drug of abuse in Maine, the use and availability of cocaine, heroin, and diverted pharmaceuticals continue to increase. Since 1995, there has been a 248 percent increase in the number of arrests for dangerous non-narcotics violations, including ecstasy and methamphetamines. Over the last decade, arrests for all drug abuse violations increased 65 percent.

"These figures shine a light on where we need to focus our attention," said Denise Lord, Associate Commissioner at the Maine Department of Corrections. "While violent crime remains low in Maine, domestic violence assaults reached a 10-year high as a share of all assaults. This, and the increase in drug arrests, need to be our top priorities."

The complete reports, "Maine Crime and Justice Policy Brief Series," can be viewed online at www.muskie.usm.maine.edu/justiceresearch. Click on the link below "What's New in 2006."

The Maine Criminal Justice Statistical Analysis Center (SAC) is partially supported by the U.S. Department of Justice's Bureau of Justice Statistics and is part of a national network of state statistical analysis centers maintained and coordinated by the Justice Research and Statistics Association located in Washington, D.C.

Editor's Note: For more information, contact Mark Rubin, USM Muskie School of Public Service, 780-5843; Denise Lord, Maine Department of Corrections, 287-4386; or Paul Vestal, Maine Criminal Justice Commission, 941-2855.

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