PEOPLE WHO WANT TO KICK THEIR ADDICTIONS TO HEROIN OR PAIN KILLERS HAVE A NEW HOPE.
SCIENTISTS HAVE COME UP WITH A NEW DRUG THAT IS MORE EFFECTIVE THAN METHADONE.
AND IT CAN BE TAKEN IN A FAMILY DOCTORS OFFICE OR AT HOME.
NEW HAMPSHIRE PUBLIC RADIO'S MARK BEVIS HAS THE STORY.
TO GET A LIST OF NH DOCTORS APPROVED TO DISTRIBUTE THE DRUG CLICK HERE
THE US HAS AN ESTIMATED 1 MILLION HEROIN USERS.
THOUSANDS MORE ARE HOOKED ON PRESCRIPTION PAIN KILLERS LIKE OXYCONTIN.
THOSE WANTING TO BREAK THE ADDICTION NOW HAVE A NEW TOOL.
THE DRUG IS CALLED BUPRENORPHINE.
EUROPEANS HAVE BEEN USING IT AS A TREATMENT FOR HEROIN ADDICTION FOR TEN YEARS.
AND NOW THE FEDERAL SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES ADMINISTRATION IS PROMOTING IT.
ROBERT LUBRAN IS THE AGENCY'S DIRECTOR OF PHARMACOLOGIC THERAPIES.
HE SAYS THAT LIKE METHADONE BUPRENORPHINE BLOCKS THE BRAIN'S ABILITY TO ABSORB HEROIN.
TAPE:
ROBERT LUBRAN IS WITH THE U.S. FEDERAL SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES ADMINISTRATION.
HE SAYS BUPRENORPHINE IS CURRENTLY AVAILABLE IN NEW HAMPSHIRE.
FOR NHPR NEWS, I'M MARK BEVIS
