Number of toxic drug deaths in Northern Health region in September revealed by coroner

VICTORIA, B.C. — British Columbia’s coroner says 158 people died from illicit, toxic drug overdoses in September, including 12 people in Northern Health’s coverage area. 

The BC Coroners Service says in a statement that fentanyl or its analogs were found in the system of 84 per cent of those who were tested around the province. 

The cities experiencing the highest number of toxic drug deaths this year were Vancouver at 314 and Surrey with 137, while 93 people died in Greater Victoria.

The service says between January and September, the number of youth aged 18 or younger who died in B.C. increased to 20 deaths, compared with 17 during the same period last year.

Almost half of the deaths this year occurred in a private home, while 21 per cent of the deaths occurred outdoors.

Men and boys accounted for the largest number of deaths this year at 78 per cent.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published November 3rd, 2025.

The Canadian Press