Vernon saw one fatal overdose death in March

May 13, 2026 | 3:02 PM

Vernon saw four suspected illicit toxic drug deaths in the first three months of 2026.

That’s according to preliminary figures from the B.C. Coroners Service, which reported one death linked to unregulated drug deaths in the North Okanagan city in March.

That built on the three deaths in January, as there were no deaths reported in Vernon over the month of February.

In Kelowna, the Coroners Service said there were nine suspected overdose deaths in March. That brought the year to date death toll for the Central Okanagan city up to 24.

The deaths in the Okanagan were part of 135 reported across B.C. in March, bringing the provincial death toll to 401 as of the end of March.

Four Deaths in Three Months

Vernon saw one fatal overdose death in March

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“In 2026, deaths among those between the ages of 30 and 59 accounted for 68 per cent of drug-toxicity deaths in the province, and 78 per cent were male,” the Coroners Service report stated.

The report added 82 per cent of unregulated drug deaths occurred inside, with 52 per cent occurring in private residences, and the other 30 per cent happening in places like social and supportive housing, shelters, hotels, and other indoor locations.

The Coroners Service added “fluorofentanyl was detected in 66 per cent of decedents [across B.C.] who underwent expedited testing, followed by fentanyl (59 per cent), cocaine (56 per cent), methamphetamine (54 per cent), bromazolam (24 per cent), desalkylgidazepam (24 per cent), and hydromorphone (5 per cent).

The figures presented by the Coroners Service were preliminary and subject to change pending further toxicological testing.

by Liam Verster

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