As prosperity increases in Saskatchewan so is drug-related crime.

The police-reported crime statistics for 2011 show an inflation of drug-related offences throughout the province.

"We have seen a definite increase right across the province," said Clive Weighill, Saskatoon's police chief.

He said that it isn't only business and job opportunities that are expanding in the province.

"As the province is booming it is certainly being a more attractive market for dealers," he said.

Cannabis had a 24 per cent increase and cocaine offences had the largest increase with 73 per cent.

The statistics put Regina and Saskatoon in the number one and two spots for the crime severity index and the violent crime severity index.

Weighill said that there could be a connection.

"I think you could almost tie back a good majority of crime to drugs," he said.

"People are selling drugs, those that are addicted need money to feed their habit. Usually they are not employable so they turn to thefts and break and enters to get their money."

The statistics show that in Canada, police reported more than 113,100 drug crimes. Over half were for the possession of cannabis.

Saskatchewan came in just after British Columbia for province with the highest cannabis offences and was top for the number of cocaine offences.

kmalone@rawlco.com