Fifty-eight people died from unregulated toxic drugs in the Island Health region in July and August this year, according to the most recent data from the B.C. Coroners Service.
A provincial report shows there were 26 deaths in central Vancouver Island, 24 in south Vancouver Island and eight in north Vancouver Island over the two months.
A breakdown by local health areas shows Victoria and Nanaimo are the most affected by toxic drugs.
From the start of 2025 until August, 53 people lost their lives to toxic drugs in Nanaimo and 58 in Victoria. In the Cowichan Valley, 26 people have died this year from toxic drugs.
In Campbell River, there have been 21 reported deaths this year. There have been 16 in the Comox Valley and 6 in Powell River.
Most fatal toxic-drug overdoses on the island occur in private residences, according to provincial data. The report shows 51.6 per cent of deaths in the Island Health region are inside a private home; 25.1 per cent are inside other residences, such as hotels or shelters; and 20.6 per cent have been outside (in 2025).
Across the province, 153 people died in July and 149 in August as a result of toxic drugs. The majority (78 per cent) were men, and people aged 30 to 59 accounted for 69 per cent of the deaths in B.C.
The province notes fentanyl is the most common substance detected in expedited toxicology testing.
“Decedents who underwent expedited testing in 2025 were found to have fentanyl in their systems (70 per cent), followed by cocaine (52 per cent) and methamphetamine (52 per cent). With 64 per cent of deaths showing evidence of smoking, it continues to be the most common mode of consumption in 2025,” reads a statement from the province.
The province cautions the data for July and August are preliminary and could change as further toxicological results are received and investigations conclude.
