Opioid Crisis

Drug and narcotic use has a long history through civilization, in recreational terms and in emergent medical fields. During the Civil War in America, opioid usage became standard as field doctors were desperate for ways to relieve pain and ease patients into death as they treated and cared for hundreds of wounded soldiers. An epidemic began as the prescription of opioids increased the reliance on these drugs. According to the Smithsonian, over 10 million opioid pills were prescribed to soldiers on the Union side of the war alone. Pleased with the results shown in relieving pain, doctors began to prescribe opioids, both in pill form and injected subcutaneously, for a variety of maladies including menstrual cramps, morning sickness, anxiety, and dysentery. The use of opioids was prevalent and far-reaching