While on the national political scene, complete withdrawal from an addictive drug is often spoken of as the desired outcome, Banys said detox was an unrealistic option for most heroin addicts, as the long-term relapse rate was high.

Buprenorphine is given to addicts in the form of Subutex (wholly buprenorphine), or Suboxone (a mix of buprenorphine and naloxone), and is intended more as a maintenance, replacement drug for addicts, rather than a miracle cure.

Today in San Francisco, the Department of Public Health will hold a seminar to educate local doctors about the new drug, and tell them how they can become a buprenorphine specialist in their own practice, registered with the Drug Enforcement Agency.

The article has details on the pharmacology of the drug, side effects and on its usage in France since 1996.