Vernon saw three drug deaths in April

Jun 24, 2025 | 3:16 PM

The local drug death toll has grown to 12.

The B.C. Coroner’s Service reported the updated figure after three deaths linked to toxic illicit substances were recorded in Vernon this past April.

In Kelowna, there were 10 overdose deaths recorded in the most recent reporting month, bringing the year to date death toll for the Central Okanagan city to 35.

The local deaths were part of 165 recorded throughout B.C. this past April.

This marked the first time there were more than 160 deaths in a month since September of 2024.

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The Coroner’s Service said there had been 594 deaths linked to toxic illicit substances in the first four months of 2025, noting 68 per cent of those who died were between the ages of 30 to 59, and 77 per cent were male.

Additionally, 78 per cent of 2025’s unregulated drug deaths occurred inside, with 47 per cent within a private residence and 32 per cent in other inside residences including social and supportive housing, hotels and shelters. The other 21 per cent of deaths occurred in outside locations such as vehicles, parks, and sidewalks.

Fentanyl has been detected in 68 per cent of the drug deaths in B.C. to date.

by Liam Verster

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