DAWSON CREEK, B.C. - Deaths linked to toxic drugs in British Columbia increased in June after falling to a multi-year low in May.
The BC Coroners Service says there were 138 deaths in June, up 25 per cent from 110 deaths a month earlier, but down by about a third from June in 2023 and an average of about 4.6 deaths per day.
The latest preliminary figures brings the six-month toxic-drug death toll to 776.
Northeast remains among highest-rate regions
While larger population centres continue to account for the greatest number of deaths, Northeast B.C. remains one of the hardest-hit regions when rates are measured by population.
According to coroners data, the Northeast Health Service Delivery Area (HSDA) recorded a death rate of 42.3 deaths per 100,000 people in 2026, the fifth-highest rate among the province’s health service delivery areas.
Only the Northern Interior (57.8), Central Vancouver Island (51.2), Kootenay Boundary (49.9) and Vancouver (47.2) reported higher rates.
The Northeast HSDA has recorded 15 unregulated drug deaths so far in 2026, compared with 27 during the same period in 2025 and 34 in 2023, indicating a decline in the number of deaths despite the region continuing to experience a high mortality rate relative to its population.
Northern Health posts province’s highest health authority rate
The data also show that Northern Health continues to have the highest overall death rate among B.C.’s five health authorities.
Although the Fraser Health and Vancouver Coastal Health regions accounted for the largest number of deaths in 2026, with 206 and 200 respectively, Northern Health recorded a rate of 49 deaths per 100,000 residents, the highest in the province.
Fluorofentanyl most commonly detected
The coroner’s service said fluorofentanyl, a synthetic opioid closely related to fentanyl, was the substance most frequently detected in expedited toxicology testing.
The drug was present in 67 per cent of deaths that underwent expedited testing this year. It was followed by cocaine (55 per cent), fentanyl (53 per cent) and methamphetamine (52 per cent).
Smoking remains the most common method of drug consumption among those who died, with evidence of smoking found in 68 per cent of deaths investigated in 2026.
Most deaths occur indoors
The report found that 81 per cent of unregulated drug deaths this year occurred indoors. More than half happened in private residences, while another 28 per cent occurred in locations such as supportive housing, shelters, hotels and other residential facilities.
People aged 30 to 59 years accounted for 68 per cent of deaths, while 75 per cent of those who died were male.
The B.C. Coroners Service noted that June figures remain preliminary and could change as investigations continue.