New research using drug-checking results could provide an insight into why toxic drug death tolls have been on a downward trend for two years now in B.C. But scientists and officials say there are likely multiple factors behind exactly why the number of drug-related deaths in B.C. The drug supply is still as toxic and unpredictable as ever, if not more so," said Samuel Tobias, a researcher at the B.C. Advertisement AdvertisementAdvertisement AdvertisementThe research found that the samples at drug checking sites became less concentrated in fentanyl over the years, which was associated with a drop in toxic drug deaths. 'Many lives were lost'Tobias notes, however, that lowered fentanyl concentration alone isn't the sole factor behind the provincewide, and continent-wide, drop in toxic drug deaths.

Source: CBC News March 01, 2026 14:06 UTC