Authorities believe a growing drug trade in Minnesota is the main reason why violent crime increased in 2013.
The findings are part of a comprehensive crime report released by the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension on Tuesday. After comparing the data to 2012 findings, the MCBA discovered:
- The murder rate increased 21 percent in 2013.
- Although burglaries were down, the value of the stolen items taken during a robbery or motor vehicle theft increased in 2013.
- There were 559 more narcotic-related arrests last year than in 2012.
Mower County Sheriff Terese Amazi believes the last statistic is the reason violent crime is increasing across the state.
“I think the violent crime is definitely drug driven,” said Amazi. “I think the methamphetamine obviously plays a role in that, but I also see that the heroin and prescription painkillers are definitely driving that as well.”
Amazi said the issue is two-fold. She noted that more drugs are entering Minnesota, and released convicts aren’t getting the necessary counseling to rid them of their habits.
“Probably about 95 percent are in jail because of drugs, alcohol, or a combination of both,” Amazi said. “We don’t very often arrest sober people.”
Amazi said the first stage of intervention needs to come from family and friends, but that can be problematic if those individuals abuse drugs too.
“Only the first names are changing in our jail and that’s probably the biggest issue,” said Amazi. “The family is definitely the biggest issue in combating drug abuse.”
To see the 183-page report in it’s entirety, click here.
Related source: KAALTV.com
