B.C. reports 150 toxic drug deaths in first month of 2026

B.C. Coroner’s Service says there were an estimated 150 unregulated drug deaths reported in January.

The report said it was a 10 per cent decrease from the 167 deaths investigated during the same month last year. 

It said three-quarters of those who died in January were between 30 and 59 years old, and 80 per cent were male. 

Fentanyl and chemically similar drugs were identified in the majority of deaths, while smoking remained the most common method of consuming drugs among those who died. 

The Fraser and Vancouver Coastal Health authorities had the highest number of drug deaths in January, and together make up more than half of all such deaths in the first month of the year. 

The Island Health authority region saw 29 deaths.

The highest rates of drug deaths based on population were in the North Health and Interior Health Regions, which saw 14 and 29 deaths respectively. 

Unregulated drug deaths have declined each year since the province saw a record high of 2,590 in 2023. 

There were a total of 1,833 deaths in B.C. last year.