Another 150 lives lost to toxic drugs in B.C. in January 2026

VICTORIA - As the province approaches 10 years of the public health emergency regarding toxic drugs, nearly five British Columbians continue to lose their lives each day, according to preliminary data released by the BC Coroners Service.

While the 150 deaths reported in January represents a decrease of 10% from the total number investigated in January 2025 (167), it still equates to 4.8 deaths daily and is consistent with the number of deaths reported monthly throughout 2025.

Nearly three-quarters of the lives lost in January 2026 were between 30 and 59 years, and 80% were male.

Fentanyl and its analogues continue to be identified in a significant majority of deaths, with nearly eight in every 10 tests returning positive results. Smoking remains the dominant mode of consumption, with evidence indicating that almost three of every four decedents in January 2026 consumed the substances that led to their deaths in this manner.

Other findings of note include:

• By health authority, in January 2026, the highest number of unregulated drug deaths were in Fraser and Vancouver Coastal Health authorities (42 and 36 deaths, respectively), making up 52% of all such deaths during 2026. The highest rates were in Northern Health (58 deaths per 100,000 individuals) and Interior Health (40 per 100,000).
• By Health Service Delivery Area (HSDA), in 2026, the highest rates were in Kootenay Boundary, Central Vancouver Island, Northern Interior, Northeast, and Vancouver.
• By local health area, in 2025, the highest rates were in Vancouver - Centre North, Lillooet, Greater Campbell River, Terrace, and Vancouver - City Centre.

Data contained in the report is preliminary and subject to change as additional toxicological results are received and investigations conclude.

Learn More:

Drug Toxicity Deaths in 2026: https://app.powerbi.com/view?r=eyJrIjoiY2EwYTk1YjctYTYwNy00MTViLTgwZmItYjFmN2Y1MzdlNjI3IiwidCI6IjZmZGI1MjAwLTNkMGQtNGE4YS1iMDM2LWQzNjg1ZTM1OWFkYyJ9

Youth Unregulated Drug Toxicity Deaths, 2019-2023: youth_unregulated_drug_toxicity_deaths_in_bc_2019-2023.pdf (gov.bc.ca)

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

BC Coroners Service: http://www.gov.bc.ca/coroners/