FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. - Preliminary figures from the BC Coroners Service show unregulated drug toxicity deaths increased in August, with 126 deaths recorded across British Columbia compared to 113 in July.
The latest reporting found an average of 4.1 deaths per day in August, up from 3.6 deaths per day in July.
The report also found Northern Health continues to have the highest rate of unregulated drug toxicity deaths in the province in 2026, at 43 deaths per 100,000 people.
In July, 5 people died in the Northern Health region due to overdose. In September, that number climbed to 13.
Island Health recorded the second-highest rate at 34 deaths per 100,000 people.
Across July and August, 239 people died in B.C. from unregulated drug toxicity. Of those, 188 were male and 51 were female. Men account for 76 per cent of all unregulated drug deaths reported so far this year.
People between the ages of 30 and 59 continue to be the most affected group, accounting for 69 per cent of drug toxicity deaths in B.C. during 2026.
The report shows Fraser Health and Vancouver Coastal Health each recorded 68 deaths over July and August, the highest totals among the province’s health authorities. Together, they account for 54 per cent of all unregulated drug deaths reported this year.
Toxicology testing found fluorofentanyl was the most commonly detected substance, present in 68 per cent of deaths where expedited testing was completed.
It was followed by cocaine (56 per cent), methamphetamine (53 per cent), fentanyl (50 per cent) and desalkylgidazepam (21 per cent).
The BC Coroners Service also reported smoking remained the most common mode of drug consumption among those who died, accounting for 65 per cent of deaths in July and 67 per cent in August. More than half of all deaths this year occurred in private residences.
Officials note the figures are preliminary and may change as toxicology results are finalized and investigations continue.