Northern Health records highest rate of unregulated drug deaths in B.C.

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Provincewide, 113 people died from unregulated drug toxicity in July, followed by another 126 in August, according to preliminary findings released by the coroners service. That works out to 3.6 deaths per day in July and 4.1 per day in August.

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Northern Health records highest rate of unregulated drug deaths in B.C.

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A total of 1,015 deaths have been recorded across B.C. so far this year.

While the rate is highest in the north, the largest numbers of deaths continue to be recorded in more populated regions.

Fraser Health and Vancouver Coastal Health recorded 68 deaths each during July and August. For the year to date, the two authorities account for 54 per cent of all unregulated drug deaths in the province.

Vancouver has recorded the highest number of deaths among B.C. communities this year at 237, followed by Surrey with 82 and Greater Victoria with 80.

The coroners service says 69 per cent of those who died in 2026 were between 30 and 59 years old, while 76 per cent were male.

Fluorofentanyl has become the substance most commonly detected through expedited toxicology testing this year, appearing in 68 per cent of tested deaths. Cocaine was detected in 56 per cent, methamphetamine in 53 per cent and fentanyl in 50 per cent.

Smoking remains the most common method of consumption identified in deaths, accounting for 65 per cent in July and 67 per cent in August.

Just over half, 51 per cent, of unregulated drug deaths this year occurred in private residences, while 19 per cent occurred outdoors.

The BC Coroners Service cautions that the 2026 figures are preliminary and may change as investigations are completed and further toxicology results become available.