It was another disappointing report last week when the Maine Department of Public Safety announced the crime rate increased again ”“ but this year, the news was even more surprising.

Public Safety Commissioner John E. Morris announced the 2011 jump ”“ at 5.4 percent ”“ is the largest increase since 1975.

Morris said every crime category increased last year, except for the number of robberies. Morris pegged the increase on drugs, saying, “Drugs are the main reason for the increase, as addicts commit crimes to feed their habits. Prescription drug abuse is responsible for much of the state’s drug problem. Although Maine continues to be one of the safest states in the country, the crime numbers are troubling.”

We agree, and it is important for state and local law enforcement officials  ”“ as well as organizations that support drug addicts and others who commit crimes ”“ to work on new ways to stem the rising rate of crime here in Maine.

Increasing drug takeback days and permanent locations for such dropoffs is a step in the right direction, but it is clear that people who want drugs will find a way to get them ”“ no matter the lengths to which they must go.

In March of this year, several men posing as DEA agents ransacked a Standish family’s home while a young girl watched in the early morning hours. The men stole purses and prescription drugs after using plastic ties to handcuff the four adults who live at the home.

These types of crimes are on the rise, and it’s clear they will continue if demand for drugs continues to rise.

Rehabilitation will be key in reducing these prescription drug-related crimes. If more people become clean, they will no longer have the need for drugs, which are often obtained through robberies and burglaries of homes and pharmacies.

Another troubling part of the report were the numbers relating to domestic violence and rape.

There were 414 rape cases reported to law enforcement in 2011, which is 25 more than were reported in 2010. That’s an increase of 6.4 percent.

Domestic violence assaults also increased by 4.6 percent in 2011, with 5,353 cases reported in 2011 compared with 5,117 reported in 2010. Morris said this increase reversed three straight years of declines in domestic violence assaults in Maine.

The Governor has, however, pledged to ramp up protections for victims of domestic violence and increase penalties and monitoring of offenders.

In April, Biddeford Mayor and State Rep. Alan Casavant’s bill to ensure victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking are notified consistently across the state when their abuser is released from jail was signed into law.

Also this year, Leigh I. Saufley, chief justice of the Maine Supreme Judicial Court, announced a new policy that requires bail commissioners to have access to the defendant’s criminal history before setting bail in domestic violence cases.

These are important changes and hopefully they will make a difference when the annual crime rate report is released next year for 2012.

We hope law enforcement, legislators and organizations offering rehab and other support services will continue to work together so Maine will have better news on crime in the future.

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Today’s editorial was written by City Editor Robyn Burnham representing the majority opinion of the Journal Tribune Editorial Board. Questions? Comments? Contact Managing Editor Kristen Schulze Muszynski by calling 282-1535, Ext. 322, or via email at kristenm@journaltribune.com.