In the last 20 years, drug overdose deaths have increased significantly in many parts of the world, as every year a record number of deaths are reported. Overdose deaths are driven primarily by the misuse of opioids, often in combination with other drugs. The epicenter of the overdose crisis is in North America, and it has been deeply affecting individuals, families, communities, and societies. With the availability of ever evolving and more potent synthetic opioids and stimulants, the crisis becomes deeper and protracted. According to the 2023 World Health Organization report on opioid overdose, the category of opioids includes compounds that are extracted from the poppy plant, as well as semi-synthetic compounds with similar properties that can interact with opioid receptors in the brain. Opioids are commonly used for pain treatment, and include medicines such as morphine, fentanyl, and tramadol. 1 The report further adds that fentanyl and its chemically similar analogues, which include carfentanil, acetylfentanyl, butyrfentanyl, and furanyl fentanyl, have been associated with a spike in deaths from opioid overdose, and that there is evidence that drug sellers add fentanyl to increase potency of their illegal products including heroin.