Seven illicit drug deaths recorded in Kamloops over the summer

KAMLOOPS — Kamloops lost seven lives due to the toxic drug crisis over the peak summer months in 2026.

New figures released Wednesday (Oct. 14) by the BC Coroners Service show 24 suspected unregulated drug deaths were recorded in Kamloops as of the end of August, up from 17 as of the end of June.

Kamloops is on pace to lose 36 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 113 people died from unregulated toxic drugs in July while 126 people died in August. The year-to-date total is 1,015 as of the end of August 2026.

Within the Interior Health region, 27 deaths due to unregulated drug toxicity were recorded in July while 18 were recorded in August. The total through the first eight months of 2026 is 177.

By health service delivery area, the province says the Thompson Cariboo Shuswap has lost 46 lives as of August for a death rate of 27.2 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.