According to recent police statistics coming out of Lori Marz, drug related offenses are on the rise in Armenia’s northern region. In 2009, 83 drug related offences were registered in the region as compared with 52 in 2008. 41 cases were reported in the town of Vanadzor. Crimes related to the trafficking of drugs rose to 25 in 2009; up from 14 in 2008. So far this year, 45 drug related offences have been registered; 10 involving trafficking for profit. Police report that the most commonly used drug is marijuana.