Part 2/9:
The story of these powerful drugs begins in Germany in 1917, when pain-relieving medications were introduced, including an opioid known as Euodal, a precursor to the modern-day oxycodone. However, the real game-changer was the introduction of Pervatin, a methamphetamine that surfaced during early World War II. Touted as a way to increase energy, Pervatin was soon adopted by the German military for its perceived advantages.