Has Airdrie seen a decrease in drug related cases?

Airdrie is showing a steady decrease in drug-related cases after a peak towards the end of 2019 and into 2020. 

The RCMP provided statistics for Municipal Detachment Crime from 2017 to 2022 (all cases happening in Airdrie) and for Provincial Detachment Crime from 2018 to 2022 (all cases happening in surrounding areas).

The charts do not reflect arrests; however, they refer to the number of files that were drug-related offences, regardless of whether charges were filed or not.

From 2019 to 2020 during the start of COVID the numbers did trend up in total drug charges, with an increase of 66 cases.

"An increase could be the result of perhaps even an individual file where there's a substantial number of charges laid; potentially a big drug bust could be attributed to that increase at that time," stated James McConnell, Corporal in Community Policing for the Airdrie RCMP.

The good news for the area is that overall, from 2020 to 2021 there has been a decrease of 46 per cent in all categories.

Upon review of the "Airdrie's Provincial Crime Statistics", from 2017 to 2020, there has been a steady decrease of all categories from 2018.

"Airdrie detachments maintained their crime reduction unit and their regular number of patrols and enforcement actions. There just haven't been as many charges laid."

Among the four categories three are self-explanatory, but what does the other category mean?

The "other" category is best described as anything that wouldn't necessarily fit in the other three categories. Cases like importing or exporting drugs across the border, and general offences under the "Controlled Drugs and Substances Act" would fit under the "other" category.

From 2018 to 2022, Airdrie has seen a decrease of 57 per cent in total drug charges, one of the reasons for the drop could be the legalization of cannabis.

According to McConnell, the RCMP patrol numbers have been consistent over the past few years.

Airdrie has seen a 100 per cent decrease to date this year in production drug charges.

One noticeable number from the graph is the 83 per cent decrease in drug trafficking cases so far this year compared to last year.

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