Though April saw an increase in drug deaths across B.C., Greater Victoria drug deaths have been on a steady decline in the first four months of 2025.
Last month, B.C. saw 165 drug deaths, the first time in six months the number went over 160. Provincewide, there were 594 deaths between January and April, down from 830 in the first four months of 2024.
In Greater Victoria, however, there has been a steady decline over the past year, with 36 deaths in the first four months of 2025 – eight in April – compared to 45 deaths in the final four months of 2024, and 66 deaths between January and April of last year.
The Capital Region still has the third highest number of drug-related deaths in the province by city, with Vancouver and Surrey topping the board and Kelowna just behind.
On Vancouver Island, Island Health reported 102 drug deaths in their service area in the first four months of this year, down from 170 in the same period in 2024, about a 40 per cent decrease.
According to the B.C. Coroners Service, there has been an increase in people dying outdoors, which now accounts for 21 per cent of all fatalities in 2025, up from 15 per cent in 2022.
In reaction to the growing number of fatalities outside, B.C. Greens interim leader Jeremy Valeriote called on the province to provide a regulated alternative to the toxic drug supply, supervised consumption services that are accessible, evidence-based treatment for those who seek it, and safe, affordable, and accessible housing for all.
“Behind every number is a person, and behind every life lost is a community left to grieve,” said Valeriote in a news release. “Our hearts are with every person taken too soon due to the toxic drug crisis, and with their loved ones who now carry that unimaginable loss.”
Fentanyl continues to be detected in a majority of drug deaths across the province, accounting for 75 per cent of deaths. Island Health reported that last year, fentanyl was a contributor to 84.8 per cent of deaths, compared to 23.5 per cent in 2014.
Deaths where methamphetamine and benzodiazepines – like Xanax or Valium – have been a contributor have also risen, with meth playing a part in 50 per cent of drug deaths in 2024 compared to 41.5 per cent in 2020, and benzos contributing to 46.6 per cent of deaths in 2024 compared to 13.5 per cent of deaths in 2020.
By health authority in 2025, the highest number of unregulated drug deaths were in Fraser and Vancouver Coastal health authorities – with 185 and 155 deaths, respectively – making up 57 per cent of all such deaths in B.C. during 2025.
