May sees 109 lives lost throughout BC due to toxic drug crisis

According to the BC Coroners Service (BCCS) at least 109 British Columbians lost their lives due to the toxic drug crisis this May. 

This equates to approximately 3.5 deaths per day.

In total, since the public health crisis was declared in April 2016, this brings the death toll up to 18,517. 

According to BCCS, 23 of the 109 who died from toxic drugs in May were located on Vancouver Island, and nine of those 23 died within the Greater Victoria region.

BCCS data shows that 53 people in Greater Victoria have died of the unregulated drug supply since January. 

So far this year, 141 toxic drug deaths have been reported on Vancouver Island.  

Since the beginning of 2026, deaths among people aged between 30 and 59 made up 68% of toxic drug deaths in BC, and 76% of the decedents were men.

BCCS noted that the death rate among people aged 60 and older has remained relatively stable since 2021, and the death rate among those aged 19 to 59 has declined significantly during the past five years.

According to the latest report, 81% of toxic drug deaths in May occurred inside, in places such as private residences, social and supportive housing, single-room occupancies and shelters. Conversely, 18% of deaths occurred outdoors in places such as vehicles, sidewalks, streets and parks.

Fluorofentanyl was detected in 67% of decedents, followed by cocaine at 55%, fentanyl at 55%, methamphetamine at 52%, 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 71%, followed by nasal insufflation at 10%, injection at 8% and oral consumption at 3%.

The BC government offered no accompanying statement with the data provided by BCCS.