Another 119 toxic drug deaths reported in BC this April

The BC Coroners Service (BCCS) has reported another 119 lives lost due to toxic drug use throughout the province in April. 

This brings the total number of deaths since the public health crisis was declared in April 2016 up to 18,408. 

This April, 25 of the 119 who died of toxic drugs were on Vancouver Island, and nine of those 25 died within the Greater Victoria region.

So far this year, 116 toxic drug deaths have been reported on Vancouver Island.  

Deaths among those between the ages of 30 and 59 have accounted for approximately 68% of BC’s toxic drug deaths in 2026. According to BCCS, men accounted for 76% of the deaths.

So far this year, records show that 81% of unregulated drug deaths occurred inside in places such as private residences, social and supportive housing, single-room occupancies, shelters and other locations. 

Meanwhile, around 18% of the deaths occurred outside in places such as vehicles, sidewalks, streets and parks.

Fluorofentanyl was detected in 67% of decedents, followed by cocaine at 57%, fentanyl at 56%, methamphetamine at 54%, desalkylgidazepam at 24%, bromazolam at 23% and hydromorphone at 5%. 

BCCS has determined that smoking continues to be the most common mode of consumption at 70%, followed by nasal insufflation at 10%, injection at 8% and oral consumption at 3%.