The release of OxyContin by Purdue Pharma in 1996, accompanied by an aggressive marketing campaign, marked a controversial turning point in pain management. This extended-release formulation of oxycodone was promoted as a solution for chronic pain, leading to widespread prescriptions. However, the subsequent opioid crisis raised critical questions about pharmaceutical ethics, addiction, and healthcare practices.

The release of OxyContin in 1996 and its marketing campaign later inspired 21st-century poetry and memoirs addressing the societal toll of the opioid epidemic. Poets like Ocean Vuong have explored themes of addiction, loss, and resilience in the face of crisis.