Another 150 lives lost in BC to the toxic drug crisis in January alone

The BC Coroners Service (BCCS) has announced that at least another 150 lives were lost to the ongoing toxic drug crisis in BC this January. 

This number comes just after another year has passed, with a total of 1,826 people losing their lives in 2025 due to unregulated drug toxicity. 

BC declared a public health emergency in April 2016, nearly a decade ago now, and still people are tragically losing their lives to this affliction.

More than 18,120 deaths have now been attributed to drug poisoning since the public health emergency was declared. 

Still, nearly five British Columbians lose their lives each day, according to BCCS. 

The 150 deaths, while still too many for such a short amount of time, represents a decrease of 10% from the total number investigated in January 2025, which was 167. 

BCCS found that nearly 75% of the lives lost in January 2026 were of those between the ages of 30 and 59, and 80% were men.

Furthermore, around 80% of deaths involve fentanyl or its analogues and smoking still remains the dominant mode of consumption. 

Of the 150 deaths that occurred in BC, 29 were attributed to Vancouver Island. Of the 29 drug deaths, nine occurred in Victoria, nine occurred in Nanaimo and 12 occurred in other island municipalities.