Coroners Service reports three drug toxicity deaths in July, August in northeast

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — Over the course of July and August, three people died as a result of drug toxicity or overdose in northeastern B.C., according to the provincial Coroners Service.

The latest unregulated drug toxicity report has been released by the office, showing two unregulated drug-related deaths in the northeast in July and one in August.

That’s half as many deaths as were recorded in the same months in 2024, and well below the six deaths reported in April, which saw the most deaths so far this year.

Overall, 153 unregulated drug deaths were reported in B.C. in July and 149 were reported in August — 4.9 and 4.8 deaths per day, respectively. Northern Health saw nine of those deaths in July and 15 in August. 

The total death toll across B.C. for 2025 currently sits at 1,218. The majority of deaths so far were reported by the Fraser and Vancouver Coastal Health Authorities, with roughly 55 per cent of all drug toxicity deaths in 2025 occurring in their coverage areas.

Northern Health has the highest death rate so far this year, with 46 deaths per 100,000 people, followed by Interior Health with 39 deaths per 100,000 people. The cities that have reported the most deaths in 2025 are Vancouver, Surrey and Greater Victoria.

Fentanyl has been detected in 70 per cent of all unregulated drug deaths in the province that underwent expedited toxicity screening so far this year. Other common substances include cocaine and methamphetamines, which were both detected in 52 per cent of cases.

The report says 69 per cent of the people who have died so far this year from unregulated drug toxicity have been between the ages of 30 and 59, while 78 per cent have been male compared to 22 per cent being female. 

The most common job category among people who have died from drug toxicity in B.C. is the ‘trades, transport and equipment operation’ industry across the province as a whole.

The Coroners Service also says there has been an increase this year in youth drug toxicity deaths, with 21 people aged 19 or younger having died so far this year compared to 15 by this time in 2024.