Drug-related crimes committed by youths aged 12 to 17 climbed dramatically between 1996 and 2006, according to a new report by Statistics Canada.

In 2006, close to 18,000 youth -- or 693 of every 100,000 young people -- were accused of drug-related offences.

The rate was nearly double, about 97 per cent, of what it was a decade earlier. The vast majority of youth -- 84 per cent -- were accused of cannabis-related crimes.

However, the proportion accused of cocaine and other drug offences also doubled in the 10-year period.

"It speaks to the issue of the level of demand for drugs in the country, which has roughly doubled in the last 10 years as well as the increasing amount of youths who are turning to street gangs," Michael Chettleburgh, author of 'Young Thugs', told CTV's Canada AM on Friday.

"When you have street gangs you have an increase in the drug trade."

Chettleburgh said organized crime is using young people to sell drugs on the streets to insulate themselves from police.

Overall crime rate

Overall, the crime rate among young people climbed three per cent between 2005 and 2006.

In total, nearly 180,000 young people were implicated in some violation of the Criminal Code in 2006, excluding traffic offences.

The figures translate to a youth crime rate of 6,885 accused for every 100,000 young people in the 12-17 age group.

"I think we need to keep the numbers in perspective and understand that relative to the peak of youth crime back in 1991, youth crime is down about 25 per cent," said Chettleburgh.

Still, the 2006 data showed violent crime rates -- including homicides -- increased 12 per cent between 1996 and 2006 and 30 per cent since 1991.

Youths accused of homicides in 2006 reached their highest point since data was first collected in 1961.

However, given the relatively small number of youth committing homicide, rates can fluctuate substantially from year to year.

Property crime rates declined between 1996 and 2006 but they still accounted for about four in 10 of all youth crimes.

The figures, based on information gathered by Canadian police services, also showed an increase in "other" Criminal Code offences such as mischief and disturbing the peace.

The youth crime rate is calculated based on the number of youth, aged 12 to 17, who have been accused of a criminal offence and formally charged, recommended to the Crown for charging by police or cleared by means other than the laying of a charge.

The Youth Criminal Justice Act, which came into force on April 1, 2003, requires police to consider the use of non-court measures for youths who have committed less serious offences.