BC Coroners Service shares unregulated drug-toxicity data for September

In September 2025, unregulated drug toxicity resulted in 158 deaths in British Columbia, with individuals aged 30 to 59 comprising 69% of the victims. The Fraser and Vancouver Coastal health authorities reported the highest death numbers, with 406 and 366 fatalities, respectively. Vancouver led the cities with 314 deaths, followed by Surrey and Greater Victoria. Fentanyl and its analogues were found in 84% of expedited toxicological tests, while cocaine and methamphetamine were detected in 52% and 51% of cases, respectively. Smoking was the predominant consumption method at 65%.

The data indicated a slight increase in suspected drug-toxicity deaths among youth, rising from 17 in 2024 to 20 in 2025. Notably, 48% of deaths occurred in private residences, underscoring the crisis's impact on communities. The report's preliminary nature suggests that these figures may change as investigations conclude.