B.C. averaged 4.6 deaths per day on average from an illicit drug overdose in June.
That’s according to data released today (Tuesday) from the Coroners Service, who reported 138 fatalities for the month.
Northern Health recorded 17 overdose deaths in June, bringing their year-to-date total to 73.
The Northwest region has 14 fatalities through the first half of 2026.
Northern Health continues to have the highest rate of illicit drug deaths among the health authorities at 48.5 per 100,000 residents; the next closest is Island Health at 35.9.
The highest number of unregulated drug deaths were in Fraser and Vancouver Coastal Health (206 and 200 deaths) respectively.
In Northern Health, 14% of all drug overdose fatalities by occupation were in trades, transport and equipment operators followed by natural resources and agriculture (9%) and sales and service (8%).
Unregulated drug toxicity is the leading cause of death for people in British Columbia between the ages of 10 and 59, and accounts for more deaths than homicides, suicides, accidents, and natural disease combined.
Residents in the 40-49 age bracket have the most deaths recorded at 202 followed by those 30-39 (169).
Throughout the first six months of 2026, toxic drugs have claimed the lives of 776 people in BC – last year, the final tally was 1,828.
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