Preliminary reporting by the BC Coroners Service (BCCS) shows that 113 people died in July, and 126 people in August 2026, due to unregulated drug toxicity.

In July and August, 188 deaths due to drug toxicity were male and 51 were female. So far in 2026, males account for 76% of unregulated drug deaths reported to BCCS, and females 24%.

Those between the ages of 30 and 59 account for 69% of drug toxicity deaths in the province in 2026.

Over the course of July and August, the Fraser and Vancouver Coastal health authorities each recorded 68 deaths, the highest number of drug toxicity deaths in B.C. These health authorities account for 54% of all such deaths in 2026.

In 2026, fluorofentanyl has become the most common substance detected in expedited toxicological testing, discovered in 68% of unregulated drug deaths. Cocaine (56%) is the second most-detected substance in decedents who underwent expedited testing, followed by methamphetamine (53%), fentanyl (50%) and desalkylgidazepam (21%).

Reporting in July and August shows evidence of smoking as the most common mode of unregulated drug consumption among decedents (65% and 67%, respectively).

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

Additional key findings from the reporting include:

• The number of unregulated drug deaths in July and August were 3.6 and 4.1 deaths per day, respectively.
• Northern health and Island health authorities have the highest rates of unregulated drug deaths this year, at 43 per 100,000 people, and 34 deaths per 100,000 people, respectively.
• The cities experiencing the highest number of unregulated drug deaths in 2026 are Vancouver (237), Surrey (82) and Greater Victoria (80).
• So far in 2026, 51% of deaths occurred in private residences, compared with 19% outdoors.

Learn More:

Drug Toxicity Deaths in July and August 2026:
https://app.powerbi.com/view?r=eyJrIjoiNmMyMDhjMTUtYjM4Mi00OTUzLTlmMDktM2VhMTY4MjFjMWVmIiwidCI6IjZmZGI1MjAwLTNkMGQtNGE4YS1iMDM2LWQzNjg1ZTM1OWFkYyJ9

Youth Unregulated Drug Toxicity Deaths, 2019-23:
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/birth-adoption-death-marriage-and-divorce/deaths/coroners-service/statistical/youth_unregulated_drug_toxicity_deaths_in_bc_2019-2023.pdf

BC Coroners Service Death Review Panel: An Urgent Response to a Continuing Crisis:
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/birth-adoption-death-marriage-and-divorce/deaths/coroners-service/death-review-panel/an_urgent_response_to_a_continuing_crisis_report.pdf

BC Ministry of Health mental health and substance use supports:
https://helpstartshere.gov.bc.ca/

BC Centre on Substance Use: https://www.bccsu.ca