Fatal drug poisonings recorded locally in May, yearly totals still down

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The Coroners Service said 68 per cent of people who had died due to illicit substances in 2026 were between the ages of 30 and 59, and 76 per cent were male.

Two Deaths in May

Fatal drug poisonings recorded locally in May, yearly totals still down

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Additionally, 81 per cent of toxic drug deaths this year occurred inside, including 53 per cent within a private residence and 28 per cent in other indoor locations such as hotels and motels, supportive housing, shelters.

Smoking was the most common mode of consumption in those who passed from fatal overdoses in 2026.

In post-mortem screenings, fleurofentanyl was detected in 67 per cent of cases, cocaine and fentanyl were both found in 55 per cent of files, methamphetamine was detected in 52 per cent of cases. Hydromorphone was only present in five per cent of cases.

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