Synthetic- Psychoactive substances (NPS) that are either known to be opiates or have opiate-like effects.
These are not naturally occurring substances(e.g. fentanyl, tramadol).
Methadone- Used for pain relief and treatment of drug addiction.
Heroin- Illicit drug, opium and morphine is made from the resin of poppy plants.
The first wave began with increased prescribing of opioids in the mid 2000's, with overdose deaths involving
prescription opioid
(natural and semi-synthetic opioids and methadone) increasing since at least 1999. As a result of efforts to
curtail prescribed opiods (natural) an unintended result was increased use of illegal opioids.
The second wave began in 2010, with rapid increases in overdose deaths involving heroin.
The third wave began in 2013, with significant increases in overdose deaths involving synthetic opioids,
particularly those involving illicitly manufactured fentanyl. The market for illicitly manufactured fentanyl
continues to change,
and it can be found in combination with heroin, counterfeit pills, and cocaine.
The data proves that addiction was transferred, from a corporate/RX system to a system where addicts were
forced
to illegal and more lethal alternatives.