Overview

• The BC Coroners Service recorded 145 overdose deaths in May and 147 in June, down from 181 and 185 during the same months last year.
• Occupational reporting for 2024 shows 22 percent of decedents worked in trades, transport or equipment operation and 10 percent were in sales and service roles.
• Men account for 78 percent of toxic drug deaths this year with adult males aged 30 to 59 representing 69 percent, and fentanyl is the most common substance detected, followed by methamphetamine and cocaine.
• Investigations indicate that 47 percent of fatalities occurred in private residences and 21 percent outdoors, with smoking cited in 64 percent of cases.
• The Northern Health region has the highest fatality rate at 44 per 100,000 while Vancouver, Surrey and Greater Victoria report the largest totals, and supervised consumption sites recorded over 90,000 visits with 147 overdose interventions in April.