Preliminary data from the BC Coroners Service shows 150 people in British Columbia lost their lives to toxic drugs in January 2026.

The number represents about 4.8 deaths per day across the province.

While that’s about 10-percent lower than the 167 deaths reported in January of last year, it remains consistent with monthly totals seen throughout 2025.

The new data comes as B.C. approaches the 10-year mark since declaring a public health emergency over the toxic drug crisis in 2016.

The Coroners Service says nearly three-quarters of the people who died in January were between the ages of 30 and 59, and about 80-percent were male.

Fentanyl and related substances continue to play a major role in the deaths.

Toxicology testing found fentanyl or its analogues in nearly eight out of every 10 cases.

Smoking remains the most common method of drug consumption linked to the deaths, with evidence suggesting nearly three-quarters of people who died in January had smoked the substances involved.

The Coroners Service notes the numbers are preliminary and could change as more toxicology results are completed and investigations continue.

To learn more, visit Government of British Columbia.