Suspected drug toxicity killed about four people daily in B.C. in September

The BC Coroners Service reports 133 suspected unregulated drug-toxicity deaths in September 2026—about four per day. The preliminary total for 2026 is 1,143 deaths.

• People aged 30 to 59 accounted for 70% of deaths so far this year; 76% were male.
• Fraser and Vancouver Coastal health authorities had the highest death counts, at 311 and 298. Northern Health had the highest rate, at 43.4 deaths per 100,000 people.
• So far in 2026, 78% of deaths occurred indoors and 20% outdoors. Smoking was the most common reported mode of consumption, at 67%.
• In expedited toxicology tests, fluorofentanyl was detected most often, followed by cocaine and methamphetamine.

The figures are preliminary and may change as test results arrive and investigations are completed.