Start of 2026 sees increase in drug-related deaths

Mar 12, 2026 | 3:41 PM

Local drug deaths rose on a monthly and annual basis to start the year.

The B.C. Coroners Service said there were three suspected illicit toxic substance deaths recorded in Vernon in January of 2026.

That was up from the one death recorded in December 2025, and the one death in January of the same year.

Kelowna also saw increases with 11 suspected drug deaths this past January. That was up from five deaths the month before and from the seven deaths in January of 2025.

The local deaths were part of 150 recorded across B.C. in January, 2026. That was also up from the 141 recorded the month before, but below the 167 deaths the previous January.

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The Coroners Service said 74 per cent of the people who had died to overdoses in 2026 were between the ages of 30 and 59, and that 80 per cent were male.

It also stated that 82 per cent of unregulated deaths occurred inside, including 58 per cent in private residences, and 24 per cent in other inside residences such as hotels and motels, supportive and social housing, and shelters.

The deaths reported by the Coroners Service were preliminary and subject to further review.

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by Liam Verster

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