Northern Health reports highest rates of unregulated drug deaths in 2026

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — Northern Health has reported the highest rates of unregulated drug deaths in the province, with 44 deaths per 100,000 individuals as of May 2026. 

According to the B.C. Coroners Service unregulated drug deaths report, there were 109 suspected unregulated deaths in May 2026.  

Fluorofentanyl was detected in 67 per cent and fentanyl was detected in 55 per cent of unregulated drug deaths that have undergone fast-tracked toxicology testing. 

As per the report, Northern Health has reported 55 unregulated drug deaths as of May 2026. 

The drug toxicity report, which was published on July 9, shows that regions in Northern Health have a total of 10 unregulated drug deaths in May.

The highest number of unregulated drug deaths as of May 2026 is in Central Vancouver Island, with 169 and in Fraser Health Authorities, with 166 deaths. 

As of May, B.C. has recorded 479 deaths caused by fentanyl in the province. 

In Northern Health, the most common place of drug deaths is a private residence, with 74.5 per cent, 16.4 per cent of deaths happened at other residences and 3.6 per cent of deaths occurred outside.  

The report recorded that the most deaths occurred between the ages of 40 and 49, with 29 deaths, followed by ages 30 to 39, with 23 and ages 50 to 59, with 22 deaths. 

In Northern Health, the most common mode of consumption was smoking at 80 per cent, which is down compared to April at 90 per cent. This is followed by injection and snorting at 20 per cent each.