characterized by increased rates of addiction and opioid-related fatalities

Opioids are a class of drugs that derive from, or mimic, natural substances found in the opium poppy plant. These substances have been used for centuries for their potent analgesic properties, providing relief from severe pain and discomfort. Opioids work in the brain to produce a variety of effects, including pain relief, sedation, and euphoria. As a class of substances, they act on opioid receptors to produce morphine-like effects, which can significantly alter an individual's perception of pain and emotional state