Fentanyl continues to drive a majority of toxic drug-related deaths in B.C., with another six people in Nanaimo and 11 across the mid-Island losing their lives to substances in June. (Image Credit: Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press)
lives lost
Unregulated drug death rate spikes across central Vancouver Island
Aug 25, 2026 | 4:08 PM
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NANAIMO — June was a particularly deadly month across central Vancouver Island for lives lost due to toxic drugs.
New data from the BC Coroners Services showed six lives were lost in Nanaimo through the month of June, bringing the year’s death toll from toxic street drugs to 43.
Central Vancouver Island saw another 11 fatalities in June, inclusive of Nanaimo’s numbers, with 81 people having lost their life to toxic street drugs so far in 2026.
The region currently has the second highest unregulated drug death rate, defined as fatalities per 100,000 in population, between January and June at 51.2, behind only the northern Interior at 57.8.
