Abstract

The International Narcotics Research Conference (INRC) has a rich history of uniting the most creative minds across the fields of chemistry, pharmacology, physiology, and behavior in the study of opioids. The Conference has been a forum for sharing knowledge, discussing controversies, introducing innovative research, and announcing landmark discoveries. In this perspective for the Special Issue commemorating the 50^th anniversary of the Conference we briefly highlight how INRC has guided the evolution of opioid research and how new tools, models and approaches are facilitating our ability to achieve the goals of preventing and treating opioid use disorder.

Significance Statement This perspective highlights the important role that the International Narcotics Research Conference has played in the evolution of opioid research and emphasizes how technological advances are facilitating research towards the goals of preventing and treating opioid use disorder.