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

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

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.

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.