Drug toxicity deaths

Overdose deaths down in Prince George

Feb 19, 2026 | 3:21 PM

PRINCE GEORGE — Year-over-year drug overdose deaths in Prince George are down.

Newly released data from the BC Coroners Service show 66 people died due to illicit drug overdose deaths in 2025 – down from 108 the year before – or a 39 per cent decline. The 66 people who died is still a big jump from the 10 who died in Prince George in 2014 though.

Fentanyl was detected in 77 per cent of all overdose deaths last year.

Provincially, preliminary data indicates 1,826 people lost their lives in 2025 due to unregulated drug toxicity.

“While still representing a profound loss of life, this reflects an approximate 21 per cent decrease from 2024 (2,315), and the first time since 2020 that deaths due to unregulated drug toxicity have totaled fewer than 2,000 people within a year,” says the BC Coroners Service.

Additional key findings in 2025 include:

* By local health area, the highest rates of suspected unregulated drug deaths were in Vancouver-Centre North, Lillooet, Greater Campbell River, Terrace and Vancouver-City Centre.

* Youth (18 years old and younger) suspected drug-toxicity deaths have increased from 21 deaths in 2024 to 26 deaths.

* Among deaths where occupation industry is known, the two most common industries of current or past employment continue to be trades, transport and equipment operators, and sales and service.