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RATES of drug related crimes are higher in Bendigo than the state average.
Figures recently released by Victoria's new Crime Statistics Agency show Bendigo was well above the state average for drug offences.
In 2014, 116.8 drug dealing and trafficking offences were recorded in Bendigo per 100,000 residents, well up on the state average of 86.1 per 100,000.
There were 39.2 cultivation or manufacture of drugs offences reported in Bendigo per 100,000 residents, compared with 28.3 across the state.
There were 355.1 use or possession of drug offences recorded per 100,000 Bendigo residents.
The state average was 336.8 per 100,000.
A report by the Australian Crime Commission, released on Wednesday, named crystal methylamphetamine - also known as ice - as the drug which posed "the highest risk to the Australian community".
The report stated the problem was set to get worse.
"The methylamphetamine market will almost certainly remain entrenched and continue to grow in the medium term," the report concluded.
It warned of increasing crime as a result of abuse of the drug.
"The addictive nature of methylamphetamine, combined with increasing user numbers, will likely create an increased burden on law enforcement and the health sector.
"Violent behaviour associated with methylamphetamine use, particularly crystal methylamphetamine use, is likely to involve non-users, including first responders, hospital staff and members of the community.
"The increase in addiction-related crimes such as burglaries and violent assaults and drug-impaired driving will also place an increased burden on law enforcement agencies, and increase public concern."
The report prompted federal justice minister, Michael Keenan, to warn that "our nation's addiction to this mind-eating, personality-distorting, life-ending drug" is undermining the social fabric of communities.
