One more drug death added to toll in Langley

Fewer deaths seen, but total still well above start of health emergency

One more drug death added to toll in Langley Published 5:45 pm Saturday, July 11, 2026 Deaths linked to street drugs are down across B.C., including in Langley where the B.C. Coroners Service recorded a single new death in May this year. The newest data release from the Coroner’s office found that there had been 109 deaths across B.C., the lowest monthly total since February 2020.

It’s down from 119 deaths in April, noted in the previous report. Langley seemed to be following this trend. Data from up to the end of April recorded 14 deaths in Langley for the year, while the new release increased that toll to 15 as of the end of May.

According to the Coroners Service summary, the death rate for people aged 19 to 59 has seen a substantial decline since 2021. That’s significant because 68 per cent of total deaths this year are in the age range of 30 to 59. About 76 per cent of all those dying are men.

The mix of drugs found when victims are tested continues to change, with the amount of fentanyl declining. This year so far, fentanyl was found in 55 per cent of deaths, but fluorofentanyl was found in 67 per cent. Also common were cocaine (55 per cent), methamphetamine (52 per cent), and prescription drugs desalkylgidazepam (24 per cent), bromazolam (23 per cent), both of which are benzodiazepines.

The public health emergency around a massive increase in overdose and toxic drug deaths began 11 years ago. It was sparked by the presence of highly potent fentanyl in street drugs.