BC Coroners Service says that according to preliminary data, 158 people died in the province in September 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.

By health authority, in 2025, the highest number of unregulated drug deaths were in Fraser and Vancouver Coastal health authorities (406 and 366 deaths, respectively) making up 56% of all such deaths.

Throughout 2025, the cities experiencing the highest number of unregulated drug deaths have been Vancouver (314), Surrey (137) and Greater Victoria (93).

Fentanyl continues to be the most common substance detected, found in 84% of cases, followed by cocaine (52%) and methamphetamine (51%).

Smoking is the most common mode of consumption (65%), followed by nasal insufflation (11%), injection (9%), and oral (5%).

Additional findings show youth (18 years and younger) suspected drug-toxicity deaths between January and September increased from 17 deaths reported last year to 20 reported in 2025.

The number of unregulated drug deaths in September equates to about 5.3 deaths per day. 48% of deaths reported occurred in a private residence, compared with 21% outdoors.

To learn more, visit Government of British Columbia.