What does this indicator measure?
Drug crimes in Onondaga County fall into three categories. They are: contraband substance sale, contraband substance possession and marijuana. Tracking drug crimes can help the community determine the nature of drug use and sales in the area. It can also aid policymakers in decisions regarding the effectiveness of programs designed for drug prevention.
Drug crimes are on the rise in the city of Syracuse and Onondaga County. Between 2005 and 2008, the number of drug crimes per 10,000 people increased significantly for both geographic regions. Drug crimes per 10,000 people are roughly double the drug crimes per 10,000 people for Onondaga County. The Syracuse Police Department has long battled against drug trafficking and drug use in the area, but activity is still on the rise.
