Toxic drug deaths decline but dangerous sedatives turning up in drug supply

published on April 20, 2026 by Jeremy Shepherd in Tri-Cities Dispatch

According to preliminary data from B.C. Coroners Service, 115 people lost their lives in February 2026 due to unregulated drug toxicity.

There have been 265 unregulated drug deaths in B.C. in the first two months of 2026, compared to 301 in 2025 and 426 in 2024.

Authorities recently tracked an increase in the use of medetomidine. Often called “tranq,” medetomidine is approximately 200 times more potent than the veterinary sedative xylazine, according to information from Fraser Health.

Medetomidine was detected in two drug toxicity deaths in July 2025. It was found in 18 cases in January and three in February…