ACCORDING to preliminary data, 133 people died in September due to suspected unregulated drug toxicity, as reported by the BC Coroners Service.
That equates to approximately four deaths per day throughout the province and amounts to 1,143 deaths in 2026.
In 2026, deaths among those between the ages of 30 and 59 accounted for 70% of drug-toxicity deaths in BC, and 76% were male.
By health authority, in 2026, the highest number of unregulated drug deaths are in the Fraser and Vancouver Coastal health authorities (311 and 298 deaths, respectively), making up 53% of all such deaths. Northern Health continues to have the highest rate of unregulated drug-toxicity deaths in 2026, at 43.4 per 100,000 people.
So far in 2026, 78% of unregulated drug-toxicity deaths occurred inside, in places such as private residences, social and supportive housing, SROs, shelters, hotels and other locations. Twenty per cent of deaths have occurred outside, in places such as vehicles, sidewalks, streets, campgrounds and parks.
In 2026, fluorofentanyl was detected in 68% of decedents who underwent expedited toxicological testing, followed by cocaine (55%), methamphetamine (53%), fentanyl (50%) and desalkylgidazepam (20%). Smoking continues to be the most common mode of consumption in 2026 (67%) among unregulated drug-toxicity deaths.
It is important to note that data from the report is preliminary and subject to change as additional toxicological results are received and investigations end.
