More than 100 people died from suspected toxic drugs in B.C. in March, the latest B.C. Coroners Service data shows.
There were 135 deaths in March, equating to roughly 4.4 deaths per day, the May 13 update from the coroner shows. It’s a small increase from February when there were 116 deaths, averaging about 4.1 deaths daily.
There have been 401 deaths in the first three months of 2026.
So far this year, 68 per cent of deaths have been among people aged 30 and 59. Seventy-eight per cent of those deaths were among males.
B.C. Coroners Service data also shows two deaths in 2026 of people aged 18 or younger.
By health authority, Fraser and Vancouver Coastal health authorities have reported the highest number of unregulated drug deaths at 101 and 107 deaths, respectively. The two health authorities make up 52 per cent of all deaths so far this year.
Eighty-two per cent of deaths in 2026 have happened indoors at places such as private residences, social and supportive housing, SROs, shelters and other locations. That’s compared to 17 per cent of fatal overdoses happening outside in places like vehicles, sidewalks, streets and parks.
B.C. Coroners Service says fluorofentanyl was detected in 66 per cent of those who died who underwent expedited testing, followed by fentanyl at 59 per cent, cocaine at 56 per cent, methamphetamine at 54 per cent, bromazolam at 24 per cent, desalkylgidazepam at 24 per cent and hydromorphone at five per cent.
Smoking continues to be the most-common mode of consumption at 72 per cent, followed by nasal insufflation at eight per cent, injection at seven per cent and oral at four per cent.