119 people died from toxic drugs in B.C. in April

British Columbia recorded 119 deaths related to unregulated toxic drugs in April — an average of about four per day — according to the B.C. Coroners Service.

The April figure represents a slight decrease from March, when there were 134 deaths, or 4.4 per day. In the first four months of 2026, there have been 522 fatal overdoses, compared to 617 during the same period in 2025.

Sixty-eight percent of deaths have been among people aged 30 to 59. Seventy-six percent were male. The coroners service says that since 2021, death rates among those 60 and older have remained relatively stable, but rates among those 19 to 59 have declined significantly.

Vancouver Coastal and Fraser health authorities account for 53 percent of deaths so far this year, with 145 and 134 deaths respectively. Eighty-one percent of deaths occurred indoors in places such as private residences, social and supportive housing, and shelters. Eighteen percent occurred outside.

Fluorofentanyl was detected in 67 percent of tested cases, followed by cocaine at 57 percent, fentanyl at 56 percent, and methamphetamine at 54 percent. Smoking remains the most common consumption method at 70 percent, followed by nasal insufflation at 10 percent, injection at 8 percent, and oral at 3 percent.

The data is preliminary and subject to change as additional toxicological results are received.