With nearly eight arrests per 1,000 residents, Bonner County placed among the top 10 in Idaho for substance-related crimes last year, new data shows. 

The Idaho Statistical Analysis Center has published a special research analysis of drug and alcohol trends in Idaho. The study provides an in-depth examination of crime trends from 2005 to 2024, highlighting how substance offenses have evolved over the last 20 years.  

“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,” according to ISAC. 

The investigative analysis highlights the shifting trends of Idaho’s substance abuse offenses, drawing the conclusion that drug-related crime is becoming more prevalent than alcohol-related offenses. 

In 2024, research revealed that Bonner County ranked ninth out of 44 Idaho counties for arrests on substance-related crimes. Data shows that in 2024, Bonner County counted 419 arrests in the category, equivalent to 7.72 arrests per 1,000 residents.  

Ada County was ranked as having the most arrests on substance-related crimes with 3,978 arrests, equivalent to 7.47 arrests per 1,000 residents.  

ISAC reported 17,768 arrests throughout the state of Idaho for substance-related crimes.  

In further data, Bonner County ranks 16th out of 44 for alcohol-related arrests. In 2024, Bonner County saw 196 arrests within the above specification, equivalent to 3.61 arrests per 1,000 residents.  

Ada County additionally had the most alcohol-related arrests at 1,870, with Kootenai County close behind with 886 arrests.  

While overall crime in Idaho has seen a 49% decrease, ISAC notes that substance abuse trends have only seen a 12% drop — most notably due to the 33% increase in drug offenses in the state. It further reports that drug-related crimes made up 24% of total offenses reported in 2024.  

ISAC said the increase was analyzed across several categories, including cocaine, hallucinogens, marijuana, meth/amphetamines and narcotics. 

During the start of the research period, drug offenses only made up 9% of reported offenses. 

The 20-year offense trend further reveals that drug offense rates increased by 38% with alcohol offense rates decreasing by 55%. Despite a 38% rise in drug offenses, arrests only increased 3%. 

Of those committing substance abuse offenses, ISAC reported the average age of arrestees shifted slightly from 2005 to 2024. According to its investigation, the average age of an Idaho arrestee was 27 years, with the age group of 18-24 years accounting for the highest percentage of arrests. In 2024, the average age went up to 33.8 years and the age group with the highest percentage of arrests was 25-34 years.  

When looking at the data by gender, a majority of arrestees are male, accounting for 70.7% in 2024. However, while the male gender dominates the arrestee numbers, ISAC noted a 5.5% drop of males arrested in 2024 compared to 2005.  

Although females only make up an estimated quarter of substance-related arrests, ISAC highlighted a 5% increase of arrests in 2024 compared to 2005.