News ReleasePublic Safety and Solicitor GeneralOctober 14, 2026
B.C. reports 239 unregulated drug deaths in July and August
Preliminary figures show 113 deaths in July and 126 in August, with fluorofentanyl the substance most often detected in expedited testing this year.
Summary
- Deaths: 113 in July and 126 in August, an average of 3.6 and 4.1 deaths per day, respectively.
- Where: Fraser and Vancouver Coastal health authorities each recorded 68 deaths over the two months.
- Substances: Fluorofentanyl was detected in 68% of deaths that had expedited toxicology testing in 2026, followed by cocaine (56%) and methamphetamine (53%).
The figures are preliminary and may change as additional test results arrive and investigations conclude.
Related links
- app.powerbi.comapp.powerbi.com
- Youth unregulated drug toxicity deaths in bc 2019 2023www2.gov.bc.ca · PDF
- An urgent response to a continuing crisis reportwww2.gov.bc.ca · PDF
- BC Ministry of Health mental health and substance use supports: https://helpstartshere.gov.bc.ca/helpstartshere.gov.bc.ca
- BC Centre on Substance Use: https://www.bccsu.cabccsu.ca
Source: BC Gov News