Overdose deaths down 10% in January as 150 die from toxic drugs, coroner says
Toxic drug deaths in B.C. dropped 10% in January with nearly five deaths daily, driven by harm reduction efforts and reduced drug potency, officials said.
- The B.C. Coroners Service reported 150 toxic drug deaths across British Columbia in January 2026, representing a 10% decrease from 167 deaths in the same month last year.
- A public health emergency declared in April 2016 remains in place, with more than 18,120 deaths now attributed to drug poisoning since the crisis began nearly 10 years ago.
- Northern Health recorded the highest death rate at 58 per 100,000 individuals, followed by Interior Health at 40; 80% of those who died were men, with nearly 75% aged 30 to 59.
- The Coroners Service noted fentanyl and similar drugs were present in a "significant majority" of deaths, while preliminary data shows nearly five British Columbians are dying from overdoses each day.
- Drug deaths have trended downward for two years, yet CBC's Janella Hamilton reports that advocates are calling to ramp up harm-reduction services to address the ongoing emergency.
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The Toronto Star
Overdose deaths down 10% in January as 150 die from toxic drugs, coroner says
VICTORIA - The BC Coroners Service says 150 people died from toxic drugs across the province in January, down 10 per cent from the same month last year.
29 people die in Island Health in January due to toxic drugs: BC Coroners Service
Across the province, 150 people died due to toxic drugs in January, 29 of whom were in Island Health, according to the BC Coroners Service. The service notes that the 10 year anniversary of B.C. declaring a public health emergency is approaching, which began in April 2016. In the first month of 2026, 150 people died, which is down slightly from the 167 deaths in January 2025. The BC Coroners Service notes this amounts to 4.8 deaths per day. Nea…
Province of BC
pgdailynews.caAnother 150 lives lost to toxic drugs in B.C. in January 2026
As the province approaches 10 years of the public health emergency regarding toxic drugs, nearly five British Columbians continue to lose their lives each day, according to preliminary data released by the BC Coroners Service.
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