Four illicit drug deaths recorded in Kamloops in June; declining trends continue

Aug 25, 2026 | 10:57 AM

KAMLOOPS — Kamloops lost four lives due to the toxic drug crisis in June 2026.

New figures released Tuesday (Aug. 25) by the BC Coroners Service show 17 suspected unregulated drug deaths were recorded in Kamloops, up from 13 as of the end of May.

Kamloops is on pace to lose 34 lives due to the toxic drug crisis in 2026, which would be its lowest number since 26 were recorded in 2019. The city’s highest number of deaths in a year is 92 set in 2022.

Across the province, the service reports 138 people died from unregulated toxic drugs in June for a total of 776 so far in 2026.

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Within the Interior Health region, 31 deaths due to unregulated drug toxicity were recorded in June for a total of 132 through the first six months of 2026. By health service delivery area, the coroners service says the Thompson Cariboo Shuswap has lost 33 lives as of June for a death rate of 26 per 100,000 residents.

B.C.’s deadliest record is 2,591 drug fatalities in one year in 2023.

The Thompson Cariboo Shuswap, Interior Health and the province are all on pace for their lowest numbers of lives lost since 2020.

The coroners service’s figures can be viewed here.

by Aaron Schulze

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Four illicit drug deaths recorded in Kamloops in June; declining trends continue

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