According to preliminary data reported by the BC Coroners Service (BCCS), there were 138 deaths due to suspected unregulated drug toxicity in British Columbia in June, including 31 in Interior Health, equating to approximately 4.6 deaths a day province-wide.

In the first six months of 2026, deaths among people between 30 and 59 accounted for 68% of drug-toxicity deaths in the province, and 75% were male, BCCS noted in its latest report.

By health authority in 2026, the highest number of unregulated drug deaths were in the Fraser and Vancouver Coastal health authorities (206 and 200 deaths, respectively), making up 52% of all such deaths. Interior Health has had 132 fatalities so far in 2026, including six in Cranbrook and one in Windermere.

So far in 2026, 81% of unregulated drug deaths occurred inside in places such as private residences (53%) and other residences such as social and supportive housing, SROs, shelters and other locations (28%), and 18% occurred outside in places such as vehicles, sidewalks, streets and parks, BCCS pointed out.

In 2026, fluorofentanyl was detected in 67% of decedents who underwent expedited testing, followed by cocaine (55%), fentanyl (53%), methamphetamine (52%), desalkylgidazepam (23%), bromazolam (21%) and hydromorphone (5%). Smoking continues to be the most common mode of consumption (68%), followed by nasal insufflation (11%), injection (8%) and oral (3%).

It is important to note that data from the report is preliminary and subject to change as additional toxicological results are received and investigations conclude, BCCS said.

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