July and August drug deaths in B.C. fall to lowest levels since 2019

Advertisement

Advertise with us

VICTORIA - Toxic drug deaths in British Columbia in July and August have fallen to their lowest levels in those months since before the pandemic.

Read this article for free:


or

Already have an account? Log in here »

We need your support!
Local journalism needs your support!

As we navigate through unprecedented times, our journalists are working harder than ever to bring you the latest local updates to keep you safe and informed.

Now, more than ever, we need your support.

Starting at $15.99 plus taxes every four weeks you can access your Brandon Sun online and full access to all content as it appears on our website.

Subscribe Now

or call circulation directly at (204) 727-0527.

Your pledge helps to ensure we provide the news that matters most to your community!

To continue reading, please subscribe:

Add Brandon Sun access to your Free Press subscription for only an additional

$1 for the first 4 weeks*

  • Enjoy unlimited reading on brandonsun.com
  • Read the Brandon Sun E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
Start now

*Your next Free Press subscription payment will increase by $1.00 and you will be charged $20.95 plus GST for four weeks. After four weeks, your payment will increase to $24.95 plus GST every four weeks.

VICTORIA – Toxic drug deaths in British Columbia in July and August have fallen to their lowest levels in those months since before the pandemic.

Data from the BC Coroners Service shows that 113 people died in July, and 126 people in August, with those figures down 50 per cent and 40 per cent from their respective peaks.

Deaths from January to August reached 1,015, down 41 per cent from the same period in 2023 when deaths peaked across the province, and down 18 per cent from last year.

Andrew Leavens, front left, and Carl Gladue, front right, carry an empty coffin during a march organized by the Vancouver Area Network of Drug Users (VANDU) to mark International Overdose Awareness Day, in Vancouver, on Thursday, Aug. 31, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Andrew Leavens, front left, and Carl Gladue, front right, carry an empty coffin during a march organized by the Vancouver Area Network of Drug Users (VANDU) to mark International Overdose Awareness Day, in Vancouver, on Thursday, Aug. 31, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

The data shows there were 3.6 unregulated drug deaths per day in July and 4.1 in August, hitting their lowest levels since 2019.

It shows the Fraser and Vancouver Coastal health authorities each suffered 68 deaths in July and August combined, the highest number in B.C.

Toxic drug deaths in B.C. have been in steep decline since peaking at 2,591 in 2023, mirroring a phenomenon being experienced across much of North America.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 14, 2026.

Report Error Submit a Tip

National

LOAD NATIONAL ARTICLES