Vancouver/CMEDIA: Deaths of reportedly 145 people in May and 147 people in June 2025 occurred due to unregulated drug toxicity according to preliminary data, BC Coroners Service reported.
A new occupation industry page, which includes deaths where the occupation industry was known, included in the unregulated drug deaths dashboard.
Transport and equipment operators, and sales and service trades are the two most common industries of current or past employment.
In 2025, deaths among those between the ages of 30 and 59 accounted for 69% of drug-toxicity deaths in the province, and 78% were male.
The highest number of unregulated drug deaths by health authority in 2025 were in Fraser and Vancouver Coastal Health Authorities (269 and 238 deaths respectively), making up 55% of all such deaths this year.
The most common substance detected in expedited toxicological testing were Fentanyl and its analogues.
Those decedents who underwent expedited testing in 2025 were found to have fentanyl in their systems (70%), followed by methamphetamine (52%) and cocaine (51%).
In recent months there is an increase in the number of deaths where carfentanil was detected.
Data from the report is preliminary and subject to change as additional toxicological results are received and investigations conclude.
Additional key findings in 2025 include:
- The number of unregulated drug deaths in May and June were 4.7 and 4.9 deaths per day respectively.
- The cities experiencing the highest number of unregulated drug deaths so far in 2025 are Vancouver, Surrey and Greater Victoria.
- The highest rates of deaths reported were in Northern Health (44 per 100,000).
- Forty-seven per cent of deaths reported occurred in a private residence, compared with 21% outdoors.
- Smoking continues to be the primary mode of consumption of unregulated toxic drugs, with 64% of investigations indicating the decedent smoked their substances.
