BC Coroners Service shares 2025 data into unregulated drug-toxicity deaths

According to preliminary data, 1,826 people lost their lives in 2025 due to unregulated drug toxicity, as reported by the BC Coroners Service, including 15 in the East Kootenay, with 322 lives lost in the Interior Health Authority.

While still representing a profound loss of life, this reflects an approximate 21% decrease from 2024 (2,315), and the first time since 2020 that deaths due to unregulated drug toxicity have totalled fewer than 2,000 people within a year, a Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General and BC Coroners Service noted.

The 15 lives lost in the East Kootenay is down from 24 in 2024 and 26 in 2023. Nine people died in Cranbrook, two in Fernie, three in Creston and one in Golden in 2025. A total of 159 lives have been lost in the region since 2014.

Provincially, there were 136 and 141 suspected unregulated drug deaths in November and December 2025, respectively. The number of unregulated drug deaths in November and December equates to about 4.5 deaths per day.

In 2025, deaths among those between the ages of 30 and 59 accounted for 69% of drug-toxicity deaths in the province, and 77% were male. Forty-eight per cent of deaths reported occurred in a private residence, compared with 20% outdoors.

By Health Authority, in 2025, the highest number of unregulated drug deaths were in the Fraser and Vancouver Coastal Health Authorities (533 and 484 deaths, respectively), making up 56% of all such deaths.

Fentanyl and its analogues continue to be the most common substance detected in expedited toxicological testing.

Decedents who underwent expedited testing in 2025 were found to have fentanyl (69%) in their systems, followed by fluorofentanyl (54%), cocaine (53%) and methamphetamine (52%). Smoking is the most common mode of consumption (65%), followed by nasal insufflation (11%), injection (nine per cent) and oral (four per cent), the government press release stated.

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.

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.

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