ISAC Releases Annual Research Brief on Drug and Alcohol Related Crime in Idaho

The Idaho Statistical Analysis Center (ISAC) is pleased to announce the release of this year’s issue of its research brief series on drug and alcohol related crime in Idaho. Drug & Alcohol Related Crime Trends, 2025 presents analysis of data from the Idaho Incident-Based Reporting System (IIBRS), which houses more than 20 years of Idaho crime data, including data on crime related to alcohol and illegal drugs. The brief includes state-level data analysis, as well as county-level arrest rates by drug type for 2025.

Some key state-level findings:

 — Although the rate of total drug and alcohol offenses fluctuated slightly between 2005 (19.1 offenses per 1,000 residents) and 2025 (15.2), the drug offense rate increased 25% during that time (from 8.8 to 11.0) while the alcohol offense rate decreased 59% (from 10.3 to 4.2).

 — In 2025, one-fourth (25%) of all offenses reported to IIBRS by law enforcement were drug or alcohol offenses, up from 9% in 2005.

 — The percentage of person/property crime offenders suspected of being under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs during the commission of those crimes was 9.6% in 2025, which is even with 2024, but nearly double the percentage in 2005 (5.2%).

 — Demographic data indicates that 26% of all drug/alcohol arrestees in 2025 were between the ages of 25 and 34, with the average age being just under 35 years. 72% of arrestees were male and just over half (50.2%) were White and non-Hispanic.

 — Marijuana was the most frequently seized substance during drug arrests in 2025, as more than half (58%) of all drug arrests also included a seizure of marijuana by law enforcement. Meth/amphetamines were the second-most seized substance, being present in 27% of arrests.

 — More than two-thirds (69%) of drug/alcohol arrestees in 2025 were subject to a physical arrest (meaning they were taken to jail, as opposed to being cited and released). However, that percentage varied widely by substance. The lowest physical arrest rates in 2025 were for marijuana (44%) and arrests where drug equipment was seized (49%); substances with the highest rates were heroin (97%) and meth/amphetamines (96%).

The full research brief is available in the ISAC Publication Library. Additionally, readers can explore the full dataset using ISAC’s Crime in Idaho Data Dashboard.

The Idaho Statistical Analysis Center (ISAC) is located within the Pass-Through Grants and Research Department of the Idaho State Police. The mission of ISAC is to disseminate research, data and statistics related to crime, illegal drugs, victim services, and the administration of justice in Idaho. To learn more about ISAC, or to access other data dashboards and publications, visit our website at https://isp.idaho.gov/pgr/sac/.

Posted in Grant Publications (PGR), Research Publications (PGR)