BCEHS reports new single-day record for drug poisoning across the province
Posted February 2, 2026 6:48 am.
Last Updated February 2, 2026 7:50 am.
The BC Emergency Health Services (BCEHS) says one day last month saw the highest number of recorded drug poisonings in a single day.
On Jan. 21, the service recorded 256 poisoning events — 34 more than the previous record of 222, set Nov. 19, 2025.
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO 1130 NEWSRADIO VANCOUVER LIVE!According to the BCEHS, paramedics responded to almost 40,000 overdose incidents in 2025 across the province, an average of 108 poisonings per day. This is a two per cent decrease compared to 2024.
The service says there was a six-month period last year with more than 3,000 incidents and a three-month stretch with more than 4,000 cases.
The year with the highest number of overdoses was 2023, with 42,172 cases.
The BCEHS has been recording the numbers since 2016, when the B.C. government declared the toxic drug crisis a public health emergency.
Ever since, the service has seen a 105 per cent increase in the total number of annual poisoning events.
