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By Liam Verster
Illicit Substance Deaths

Seven overdose deaths recorded in Vernon over the summer

Oct 14, 2026 | 1:26 PM

Fatal overdose incidents in Vernon continued to climb over the summer months.

The B.C. Coroners Service reported seven more such deaths, including five in July and another two in August.

There were also six deaths linked to illicit substances in Kelowna in July and another four in August.

The deaths were part of 113 fatal overdoses across B.C. in July, and 126 recorded in August.

To date, Vernon had recorded 18 suspected illicit drug deaths, Kelowna had 48 incidents, and B.C. as a whole had recorded 1,015.

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The Coroners Service said of the deaths seen this year, 69 per cent were between the ages of 30 and 59, and 76 per cent were men. It also noted that 79 per cent of unregulated drug deaths occurred inside, including 51 per cent within a private residence; and 28 per cent in other inside residences including social and supportive housing, hotels, shelters, and other indoor locations.

Fluorofentanyl was found in 68 per cent of cases that underwent expedited toxicology testing, and has become more commonly detected than fentanyl this year which was found in 50 per cent of cases so far.

by Liam Verster
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