March 20, 2006
ATLANTA- A forum to educate the medical community and the public about a promising new treatment for addiction to prescription pain relievers and heroin will be held at the National Center for Primary Care at Morehouse School of Medicine in Atlanta on March 21, 2006 from 9:30 to 11:30 AM. Buprenorphine is a new office-based treatment for opioid addiction that can be administered by a primary care physician. The "New Paths to Recovery" forum will offer information about the science of buprenorphine and the federal requirements for establishing this new office-based treatment. It is being sponsored by: the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (SAMHSA); the Georgia Department of Human Resources, Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Addictive Diseases (MHDDAD); and the Southeast Addiction Technology Transfer Center.
"The availability of buprenorphine heralds a new day in the treatment of addiction," said SAMHSA Administrator Charles G. Curie. "With this new medication qualified physicians can prescribe an anti-addiction medication to their patients in their offices. Buprenorphine is a major advancement in substance abuse treatment that can expand availability of addiction services and permit doctors to treat addictions to prescription opiates or heroin just like any other medical condition, such as diabetes or hypertension."
Of the 185 drug-related deaths reported in the Atlanta metro area in 2003, 50% involved the misuse of prescription pain relievers and other opiates, according to the most recent report published by SAMHSA’s Drug Abuse Warning Network.
Approved by the U.S Food and Drug Administration to treat addiction to heroin or other opioids, including prescription painkillers, buprenorphine blocks the craving for the drugs. This new medication will not replace methadone therapy, provided through special methadone treatment facilities, but will provide physicians the opportunity to treat patients in their offices.
"We’re glad to have another tool to fight addiction in Georgia," said Neil Kaltenecker, Director of MHDDAD’s Office of Addictive Diseases. "We’re encouraging doctors and others who are interested in learning about this treatment option to join us Tuesday."
To be placed on the guest list, interested persons should call 877-521-5671 toll-free or send an email to csatconference@samhsa.gov. Directions and parking information are available at www.buprenorphine.samhsa.gov.
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WHO: |
Speakers for the event will include:
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WHEN: |
March 21, 2006 |
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WHERE: |
Morehouse School of Medicine |
For information, contact:
Thomas Wilson; 404-657-1390
tcwilson@dhr.ga.gov