Northwestern Ontario and Buprenorphine

buprenorphine: Sandy Lake is part of the Sioux Lookout region of Northwestern Ontario. I was struck by the profound impact of buprenorphine in this community of 2,500. Within months, the program was freeing people from a life of servitude to oxycontin, heroin and other opioids, according to Rabble. One of my colleagues had already made two trips to this community and started over 16 people on the buprenorphine program. By the time I arrived, people were lining up to join this program. They saw that friends and relatives with addiction issues who were using buprenorphine were buying groceries, clothes and formula for their kids instead of spending their savings on Oxycontin pills that cost as much as $1,000 per dose and The first time I went to Sandy Lake, Ontario I was there to help administer a pilot project that aimed to reduce addiction in remote communities using an opiod replacement therapy: buprenorphine-naloxone, also called Suboxone. The drug is administered by a doctor or nurse. When used properly, buprenorphine is a long acting opioid replacement that stabilizes addicts without causing either intoxication or withdrawal. It also blocks the action of short-acting opioids if they are used. In addition, people who are prescribed buprenorphine must also be monitored for use of alcohol and other opiods, reducing overall substance abuse and preventing dangerous interactions. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.