Three stories about the world of opioids collide: a drug trafficker arranges a multi-cartel Fentanyl smuggling operation between Canada and the U.S., an architect recovering from an OxyContin addiction tracks down the truth behind her son's involvement with narcotics, and a university professor battles unexpected revelations about his research employer, a drug company with deep government influence bringing a new non-addictive painkiller to market....

A backup quarterback for the high school football team must confront the pressures and temptations of being a sports star, including conflicts with his coach and his girlfriend, when the starting quarterback is injured.

When Joe Beck, a fifteen-year-old suburban kid, gets lost in a disreputable neighborhood on his way to an appointment in London, he is struck dumb by his first sight of beautiful and seemingly innocent Candy. She talks with him, teases him, but reveals nothing about herself except her phone number. Later they have a perfect day at the London Zoo, and soon Joe is as addicted to Candy as she is to heroin, in spite of the threats of her menacing pimp...

Manhattan city forensic pathologist Laurie Montgomery battles to foil a plot of unimaginable evil in a distinguished New York hospital.

Seventeen-year-old Riggle is living in rural Indiana with his uncle and uncle's girlfriend after the death of both of his parents. Now his uncle has gone missing, probably on a drug binge. It's Monday, and $800 in rent is due Friday. Riggle, who's been suspended from school, has to either find his uncle or get the money together himself. His mission exposes him to a motley group of Opioid locals--encounters by turns perplexing, harrowing, and heartening....

Provides information on drugs and their harmful effects, as well as how to avoid drugs and where to get help for drug abuse problems.

Explores the lives of several young people who have been forever changed by drug use. Shows the mental and physical consequences of illegal drugs and illustrates how easily a life can be changed or destroyed through drug use. The effects of alcohol, marijuana, heroin, cocaine, Ecstasy and other drugs are discussed, as well as techniques for turning away from risky drug-related situations.

Harry Nelson offers a clear and comprehensive picture of how the opioid crisis emerged and the challenges in addressing it. His book is at once accessible to general readers and full of insights for behavioral health veterans. This crisis has, among other things, highlighted serious and long-standing deficiencies in how we as a nation address substance abuse, addiction and recovery.

"A comprehensive overview of opioid use throughout human history, current problems surrounding opioid abuse, and suggested approaches to solving these problems."--Publisher's description.