Timeline of the opioid epidemic
The timeline of the opioid epidemic includes selected events related to the origins of Stamford, Connecticut-based Purdue Pharma, the Sackler family, the development and marketing of oxycodone, selected FDA activities related to the abuse and misuse of opioids, the recognition of the opioid epidemic, the social impact of the crisis, lawsuits against Purdue and the Sackler family. 1911 - 1990s According to the FDA's Timeline of Selected FDA Activities and Significant Events Addressing Opioid Misuse and Abuse, before the 1990s, most opioid pain medications were used to manage pain that was either acute or related to cancer.
Source: Wikipedia — Timeline of the opioid epidemic (CC BY-SA 4.0)