The opium wars that transpired in China during the 20th century are over, but there is a new frontier that involves virtually the same players: China & the Western powers. 
Opioids refer to a large group of drugs that are used to treat high-degree pains. There are two classes: natural and synthetic opioids. Natural opioids/opiates such as morphine, heroin, and codeine, are obtained from the latex of the opium poppy, which is mainly grown in Afghanistan. Synthetic opioids include tramadol (does it ring a bell?) and fentanyl, 90% of which are made in China. 
Why are opioids dangerous? Although they’re used to manage intense pain in cancer patients, these drugs have a serious effect on the brain. They make you so addicted to them that you cannot stop taking them. Just like alcohol, taking opioids makes the body adjust to it such that the normal dose you take can no longer make you feel “good”. Hence, you are forced to take higher & higher doses to get a “good feeling” effect. The higher the doses, the higher the effect on the brain…
You get “hooked up” to the drug just like a drunkard cannot leave his beer bottle. You will use all your money to buy more of the drug until you are left with no cash. You will then sell all your property to buy more until you have nothing to sell. You will then start stealing, robbing, defrauding, and eventually, killing people just to get the means to acquire higher doses. Whitney Houston, one of the best and wealthiest singers of all time, became so poor because she spent her fortune on drugs. She eventually died under strange circumstances, attributed to drugs.
It could be that you had chronic severe pain and were prescribed a dose of opioids. However, after taking this dose, you have become “hooked” to this drug and you cannot stop taking it. This will affect your finances and your home. You cannot take care of your family. Your wife/husband and kids will famish for want of food. You cannot focus on work because you are mentally distracted. Every opioid cause drowsiness, confusion, nausea, constipation, and slowed breathing. Now, how can you work when you’re drowsy, unable to breathe, & confused?
Eventually, you will be thrown out of work or school, ejected for not paying your rent, or die from inability to breathe. Many also go mad! Millions of people who had a good job and a bright future have destroyed themselves & their families through these drugs! Just as alcohol, thousands die yearly from opioids. Although cocaine & marijuana are not opioids, they have similar effects and will be addressed in another article. Cocaine is from the coca plant grown mainly in Southern America while marijuana is from the hemp plant. 
Remember, dear reader, that these drugs (opioids, cocaine, and marijuana), just like alcohol, affect your brain and throws it off balance. It makes you delusional and pushes you out of reality such that you begin to act in ways that are seen as abnormal. They give psychosis and hallucinations (e.g., you can see “devils”, weird creatures, or things that no one sees).
Having laid this foundation, we shall now begin to discuss the opioid crises in North America and eventually, the whole world in the next session (Opium Wars III). Thanks for reading.
“Numerous resources are available to offer assistance for individuals grappling with addiction, catering to those who seek the necessary support to overcome their challenges.”
