BC Coroners Service Shares Unregulated Drug Toxicity Data For May, June 2025

According to preliminary data from the BC Coroners Service, 145 people in May and 147 people in June died due to unregulated drug toxicity.

In 2025, deaths among those between the ages of 30 and 59 accounted for 69% of drug-toxicity deaths in the province, and 78% were male.

Fentanyl was still the most common substance detected in expedited testing, found in 70 percent of cases, followed by methamphetamine (52%) and cocaine (51%).

Also, the Coroners Service says the number of deaths where Carfentanil was detected has increased in recent months.

47 percent of deaths reported occurred in a private residence, compared with 21 percent outdoors.

Smoking continues to be the primary mode of consumption of unregulated toxic drugs, with 64% of investigations indicating the decedent smoked their substances.

To learn more, visit Government of British Columbia.