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Sun coverage: An alternative to methadone

Sun coverage related to buprenorphine, a promising new treatment for heroin addiction.

Buprenorphine is way better, says Darryl Graves, a recovering addict. Methadone feels like a Mack truck hit you. (Sun photo by Karl Merton Ferron / March 22, 2005)

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Lavonne Young

Lavonne Young of Park Heights kicked a 10-year heroin habit after being prescribed buprenorphine for 90 days last summer. ÂIt completely took away the cravings,Â she says. ÂOnce the cravings were gone, it was like life showed up.Â

December 17, 2006

U.S. bill targets 'bupe' limit

Bill aims to expand aid for addicts

October 4, 2006

City moves to expand drug treatment access

Hoping to make a revolutionary treatment more available for heroin users, Baltimore officials are taking the unusual step of subsidizing a training program that could more than double the number of physicians permitted to prescribe a new medication to cure opiate addiction.

July 27, 2005

Wider access to medicine for addicts appears near

The House of Representatives is expected to pass long-stalled legislation today that would expand access to a promising medication for heroin addiction, particularly in cities like Baltimore that have serious drug problems.

April 24, 2005

Restrictions mute drug's promise

When it appeared on the market two years ago, the medication sounded too good to be true: a little hexagonal pill that could subdue addicts' cravings for heroin or prescription painkillers, with little risk of abuse and without creating a new long-term dependency.