Foreword
The National Institute of Drug Abuse defines opioids as “a class of drugs that includes the illegal drug heroin, synthetic opioids such as fentanyl, and pain relievers available legally by prescription.” The potency and availability of these substances, despite their high risk of addiction and overdose, has led to their widespread use both for medical treatment and as recreational drugs. The history of opioids begins with the first cultivation of the opium poppy in ancient Mesopotamia. The Sumerians referred to the poppy as “the joy plant.” As people learned of its power, demand for opium increased and its use spread…
