“No toxic drug deaths in local area in January”: B.C. Coroner Service

As the province approaches 10 years of the public health emergency regarding toxic drugs, nearly five British Columbians continue to lose their lives each day, according to preliminary data released by the BC Coroners Service.

In January, 150 deaths were reported which represents a decrease of ten percent from the total number investigated in January 2025 (167), however,  it still equates to 4.8 deaths daily and is consistent with the number of deaths reported monthly throughout 2025.

There were no deaths in the Merritt area due to the toxic drug supply in the reporting month of January after recording seven deaths in 2025.

Nearly three-quarters of the lives lost in January 2026 were between 30 and 59 years, and 80% were male.

B.C. ended 2025 with 1,833 deaths caused by the toxic drug crisis, the first year-end total under 2,000 since 2020.