MICHIGAN SENATE HEARING TOUTS HEROIN-DETOX DRUG

WASHINGTON -- Otis Rivers was in a detoxification facility fighting a
30-year heroin addiction when he heard about a clinical trial for a
new drug called buprenorphine.

Rivers joined the trial in 1999 at Wayne State University. He has
been free of heroin and buprenorphine since 2001. The drug works
similarly to methadone, but is far less addictive, experts said.

"I'd tried to quit myself a thousand times," said Rivers, 56, who
testified Thursday at a hearing sponsored by Sen. Carl Levin,
D-Mich., on the drug's benefits. Rivers said he first tried heroin in
1970, after returning to Detroit from a 3-year stint in the Army.

The powerful high from heroin can have deadly consequences. Recently,
at least 100 people in metro Detroit died after using fentanyl-laced
heroin. The painkiller-laced drug was responsible for more than 400
deaths in other cities, including Chicago and Philadelphia.

Levin is trying to increase availability of buprenorphine. He and
Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, have cosponsored legislation that would
allow doctors to treat more than 30 patients at a time, the current
limit under law. Their measure is pending before the Senate Judiciary
Committee, where Levin said he hopes for a September vote. The Food
and Drug Administration approved the drug in 2002.

Heroin addiction can be particularly difficult to overcome, experts
said. Users often abuse the medications, seeking the same high the
heroin provided.

Experts estimate there are 750,000 to 1 million heroin addicts
nationally. Fewer than one-quarter of the addicts are in treatment.

Access to buprenorphine may be limited because it is available only
by prescription. A two-year study of 71 patients found that 93% were
white, 70% are employed and 47% pay for the treatment out of pocket.

Buprenorphine patients must have a prescription and be treated in a
physician's office. They avoid transportation dilemmas and the stigma
of going to a methadone clinic.

Experts said methadone may still be useful for patients who need pain
treatment.

Levin said 3,000 of the nation's 240,000 family physicians are
certified to prescribe the drug. About 200,000 heroin addicts have
been treated with the drug, Levin said.

"It can't be a secret weapon," said Levin. "It's got to be known.
It's got to be available."