Another seven people in Nanaimo died in March due to unregulated toxic street drugs, part of 23 local deaths recorded so far this year. (Image Credit: Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Jordan Davidson

toxic drugs

Seven more Nanaimo deaths in March from toxic street drugs

May 13, 2026 | 3:49 PM

NANAIMO — Seven more people died locally due to the unregulated drug supply in March, part of 135 suspected drug deaths across British Columbia.

Seven people also died in February in Nanaimo, bringing the total number of deaths due to toxic street drugs to 23 so far this year, according to the latest report from the BC Coroners Service.

Across Vancouver Island, 31 more people died in March, for a total of 91 deaths in 2026.

The report said of the 401 people who have died so far this year, 68 per cent were between the ages of 30 and 59, and the vast majority (78 per cent) were male.

Island Health had some of the highest deaths per health authority (41 per 100,000), with the highest rates in Vancouver Coastal (107 per) and Fraser Health (101 per).

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Seven more Nanaimo deaths in March from toxic street drugs

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Of those deaths, 82 percent occurred indoors, with about a third of them happening inside a residence which is not a private home, including social and supportive housing, shelters, and hotels.

Fentanyl and its analogue fluorofentanyl were detected in 59 per cent and 66 per cent, respectively, as well as cocaine (56 per cent) and methamphetamine (54 per cent), in deaths which have undergone expedited toxicology testing.

Smoking continued to be the most common method of consumption at 72 per cent, followed by nasal inhalation (8 per cent), injection (7 per cent), and orally (4 per cent).

Since 2015, the rate of people 60 years of age and older has increased from 6 per cent to 21 per cent this year, while deaths from people 19 to 59 years of age have declined, from 94 per cent to 79 per cent over the same period.

Two people under the age of 18 have died this year from toxic street drugs.

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by Jordan Davidson

Seven more Nanaimo deaths in March from toxic street drugs

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