June 24,2025
RED FM News Desk
Preliminary data from the BC Coroners Service (BCCS) shows that 165 people died from unregulated toxic drugs in April 2025.
In 2025, 68% of drug toxicity deaths in the province were among people aged 30 to 59, and 77% of those who died were male.
After six months of fewer than 160 deaths per month, April saw a rise again, with over 160 deaths linked to unregulated drug toxicity reported.
By health region in 2025, the highest numbers of unregulated drug deaths occurred in the Fraser and Vancouver Coastal health authorities, with 185 and 155 deaths respectively. Together, these two regions accounted for 57% of all such deaths in the province.
Fentanyl and its analogues remain the most commonly detected substances in urgent toxicology tests, consistent with trends throughout the public health emergency. In 2025, fentanyl was found in 68% of decedents tested, followed by methamphetamine in 51%, and cocaine in 48%.
It’s important to note that these figures are preliminary and may change as more toxicology results come in and investigations are completed.
Other key findings for 2025 include:
- The number of unregulated drug deaths in April averages about 5.5 per day.
- Vancouver, Surrey, and Greater Victoria are the cities with the highest numbers of unregulated drug deaths so far this year.
- The highest death rates per population were in Northern Health (46 deaths per 100,000 people)
- Interior Health (35 per 100,000 people).
- Almost half (47%) of deaths occurred in private homes, while 21% happened outdoors.
- Smoking remains the most common way these toxic drugs are consumed, with 64% of investigations indicating the person smoked the substances.
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