BUPRENORPHINE: GOOD NEWS AND BAD

The headlines say it all. From the US, numerous articles covered a "symposium" convened by Senators Hatch and Levin. A Salt Lake Tribune headline (Aug. 4) was typical of many: "Buprenorphine: Helps addicts by easing craving." From the other side of the world, Global Insight (Aug. 7) headlined, "Subutex to become controlled drug in Singapore" The latter article explained that "heroin addicts who use the drug to kick their habit instead become addicted to Subutex" - an illustration of misunderstanding and false expectations which have plagued methadone maintenance for 40 years.