Meet the generation taking the most prescription narcotics

Plus, Ontario's record housing starts and cell service on the TTC [The Star] First Up [By Kevin Jiang] By Kevin Jiang Good morning. Here’s the latest on the “silent epidemic” plaguing seniors, why no one’s celebrating Ontario housing starts, and how the TTC finally got cell service for all. DON’T MISS Canadian Press File Photo the third act [Prescription opioid use among seniors has become “a silent epidemic”]( Although much of the spotlight on Canada’s opioid epidemic has shone on younger people, it’s actually older adults who have been taking the most prescribed narcotics, according to a new report. Not only do seniors have the highest rates of prescription opioid use, they have the “highest rates of side effects, overdoses and mortality” associated with the drugs — a trend “strongly related” to the higher rates of chronic pain in seniors, for which opioids are commonly prescribed to manage. Addiction and overuse of painkillers leaves seniors at risk for significant depression, stress and anxiety, among other health concerns, the report reads. [Take a closer look at the findings](. - By the numbers: For every 1,000 Ontarians over the age of 65, an estimated 246 received at least one opioid prescription from 2015 to 2016. From 2019 to 2020, the most recent year analyzed, 192 received at least one prescription. - Silver lining: [There’s little to suggest older adults are using street drugs]( – commonly cut with powerful drugs like fentanyl and carfentanyl – which have been driving a surge in overdose deaths in recent years. Chris Simon/Metroland housing [Ontario housing starts are at a 30-year high — but no one’s popping the champagne]( Ontario has seen more housing starts in the last two and a half years than it had in three decades — yet critics say those numbers are still far behind the province’s 150,000 annual target to build 1.5 million homes in a decade. And, while the first half of the year is above 2022 levels, experts expect construction to take a downturn as the industry stares down labour shortages. Others tell the Star the boom in housing starts was in response to the surge in demand driven by low interest rates during the pandemic — [but with the high interest of today, it’s getting harder to finance new projects](. - Watch for: [Further drops in home prices are expected to continue throughout the year]( experts tell the Star, with another 10 per cent drop expected to hit before the market likely bottoms out in the second quarter of next year. - Wait, what? If you’re waiting for Toronto housing prices to plunge, you might be waiting a while — a recent report from Desjardin’s found even in a severe, 1990’s style recession, [home prices in the city won’t drop enough to be considered “affordable.”]( The Toronto Star transportation [Cellphone service is finally coming to the TTC (and not just for Rogers)]( Cell service for all will finally be a reality on the TTC starting October 3 — and it only took an intervention from the federal government to get it. According to new telecom license agreements announced Monday, Rogers — the sole cell service provider on the subway (for now) — must immediately allow other telecom services access to all the technical information they need and come to commercial agreements within 100 days, federal minister of Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development François-Philippe Champagne said Monday. [Here’s everything you need about the charge to bring TTC riders out of “perpetual airplane mode.”]( - Context: In late August, Rogers launched its 5G network on the TTC, allowing riders to talk, text and surf the web during their commutes. [Bell and Telus condemned the move, accusing the company of failing to cooperate](. - Go deeper: [Rogers could offer service after acquiring the Canadian operations of BAI Communications Inc.]( (which built the TTC’s cellular network in 2012). Since then, only Freedom Mobile has signed on to the infrastructure. WHAT ELSE “They’re getting behind something they believe in.” [Conservatives are lining up behind Pierre Poilievre](. Ford’s government is [rethinking its regional government revamp amid the housing crunch](. [Bonnie Crombie appears to be leading the Ontario Liberal leadership]( race as 80,000 members set to vote. [A replacement plane has been sent to bring Justin Trudeau]( home from India after the G20 summit. [Here are four key takeaways]( from the accused terrorist Nathaniel Veltman’s trial Monday. [A sex assault case was tossed out over delays]( as judge cites “staggering” number of courtroom closures. [Kim Jong Un arrives in Russia to meet with Putin]( as their nations draw closer. Is a looming U.S. autoworkers strike [the catalyst Canadian unions need]( Why are Ontario judges [refusing to sit at this aging GTA courthouse?]( [Fewer people are dining in at restaurants amid rising costs of living]( a new report suggests. The giant rubber duck is returning to Toronto this weekend – [but not to the water.]( Here’s the latest on the [Stratford Festival’s 12-show lineup for the 2024 season](. POV Steve Russell/The Star [Architect Raymond Moriyama died knowing his most meaningful work faces the wrecking ball.]( CLOSE-UP Carl Court/Getty Images MOROCCO: A woman sits amidst the rubble of her village in the aftermath of a devastating earthquake that killed over 2,800 people across the country. Thank you for reading. You can reach me and the First Up team at [firstup@thestar.ca](mailto:firstup@thestar.ca?source=newsletter&utm_source=ts_nl&utm_medium=emailutm_email=6C53B63A8E3FAD70AD4EF13004527437&utm_campaign=frst_198725). I’ll see you back here tomorrow. If you're not enjoying these emails, please tell us how we can make them better by emailing newsletterfeedback@thestar.ca. Or, if you'd prefer, you can unsubscribe from this newsletter by clicking the first link below. [Unsubscribe From This Newsletter]( [Sign Up for More Newsletters and Email Alerts]( [View in Browser]( Toronto Star Newspapers Limited. 8 Spadina Avenue, 10th Floor, Toronto, ON M5V 0S8. 416-367-2000 [PRIVACY POLICY](