New Drug May Help Addicts Seeking Treatment Story aired: Friday, August 12, 2005
A new federal law is drastically expanding access to a treatment that could be used by thousands of people addicted to pain pills and other drugs. The law lifts restrictions on buprenorphine, a drug that is described as user-friendly and a discreet alternative to methadone.
Unlike methadone, which can only be administered in clinics and requires daily supervision, buprenorphine can be taken anywhere and is available by prescription.
