Northern Health records highest death rate

The data show that most deaths are still among adults aged 30 to 59. In 2026, 68 percent of those who died were in this age group, and 76 percent were men.

The BC Coroners Service says death rates for people 60 and older have stayed about the same since 2021. In contrast, rates among people aged 19 to 59 have dropped significantly during that time.

Looking at health authorities, Vancouver Coastal and Fraser Health had the most deaths this year, with 169 and 166 deaths. Together, these two regions made up 53 percent of all unregulated drug deaths in 2026.

Even though Vancouver Coastal and Fraser Health had the most deaths, Northern Health had the highest death rate in the province, with 44 deaths per 100,000 people. Island Health was next, with 37 deaths per 100,000.

In 2026, the highest death rates by Health Service Delivery Area were in Central Vancouver Island, Northern Interior, Vancouver, Kootenay Boundary, and Northeast.

The data also show where many deaths are happening. In 2026, 81 percent of unregulated drug deaths took place indoors. More than half, 53 percent, were in private homes. Another 28 percent happened in other indoor places, such as social and supportive housing, single-room occupancy units, shelters, and hotels.

Eighteen percent of deaths happened outdoors, in places like vehicles, sidewalks, streets, parks, and other places. Smoking was still the most common way people used drugs before they died. Evidence of smoking was found in 71 percent of deaths, followed by nasal use at 10 percent, injection at eight percent, and oral use at three percent. At three percent.

Toxicology tests found fluorofentanyl in 67 percent of deaths that were tested quickly. Cocaine and fentanyl were each found in 55 percent of cases, and methamphetamine was found in 52 percent. Desalkylgidazepam showed up in 24 percent of deaths, bromazolam in 23 percent, and hydromorphone in five percent.

by Dave Branco

Northern Health records highest death rate

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