BC Coroners Service reports 115 unregulated drug-toxicity deaths in February

VICTORIA - According to preliminary data, 115 people lost their lives in February 2026 due to unregulated drug toxicity, as reported by the BC Coroners Service.

The number of unregulated drug deaths in February equates to about 4.1 deaths per day. Deaths among those 30-59 accounted for 69% of drug-toxicity deaths in the province and 78% were male. In 2026, 81% of unregulated drug deaths occurred inside in places like private residences, social and supportive housing, SROs, shelters and other locations, and 18% occurred outside in places like vehicles, sidewalks, streets and parks.

The highest number of unregulated drug deaths by health authority in the first two months of 2026 were in the Fraser and Vancouver Coastal health authorities (62 and 74 deaths, respectively), making up 51% of all such deaths.

Stimulants are the most common substances detected in expedited toxicological testing in 2026. Over 80% of decedents who underwent expedited testing were found to have stimulants (83%), followed by fentanyl or its analogues (80%), and benzodiazepines (36%). Smoking continues to be the most common mode of consumption (71%), followed by nasal insufflation (9%), injection (9%) and oral (2%).

The unregulated toxic drugs dashboard has now been updated to include xylazine and medetomidine detection on the "Drugs Detected" page.

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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