In 2010, the emergence of synthetic opioids, particularly fentanyl analogs, in illicit markets exacerbated the global overdose crisis. These potent substances, often mixed with other drugs, posed significant public health challenges and raised alarms about drug safety. The proliferation of synthetic opioids highlights the complexities of addiction, regulation, and the urgent need for comprehensive strategies to address substance abuse.

The emergence of synthetic opioids in illicit markets by 2010 prompted a wave of elegiac and activist poetry. Poets like Ocean Vuong have responded to the opioid epidemic, addressing themes of loss, addiction, and the impact on communities, highlighting the urgent need for empathy and understanding.