The BC Coroners Service says that 155 people are suspected to have fatally overdosed from the toxic drug supply in October 2024.

It's the lowest monthly number of deaths from the toxic drug crisis since September 2020, according to a news release from the coroners service Monday (Dec. 9).

But it's still an average of about five deaths per day. 

Between Jan. 1 and Oct. 31, 2024, 1,925 people have died from overdoses in B.C. The coroners service says its a nine-per-cent decrease compared to the first 10 months of 2023.

However, BC Coroners Service says it "does not have the investigative data to suggest why this decrease has occurred, though it is consistent with reporting from other jurisdictions." The coroners service says it is working with "partners to understand this further."

BC Coroners Service says unregulated toxic drugs remain the leading cause of unnatural deaths for people in B.C. aged 10 to 59, but in October there were no deaths recorded for anyone under the age of 19. Half of the 155 deaths reported were people between the ages of 30 and 49.

Fentanyl and stimulants were the two primary drug types detected in those who died who underwent expedited toxicological testing in October.

Vancouver, Surrey and Greater Victoria continue to report the highest numbers of fatal overdoses.