A groundbreaking medication that is helping heroin addicts get their lives back on track is to be rolled out across Renfrewshire within weeks.
Buvidal is a slow-release opioid substitute, which is administered to people in a monthly injection provided at ‘depots’ that will soon be created in Paisley and the surrounding areas.
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The injection is an alternative to treatments such as methadone as the drug helps block opioid receptors in the brain for up to one month.
Its planned launch comes just two weeks after it was revealed the number of drug-related deaths in Renfrewshire had rocketed to an all-time high.
A devastating 67 people lost their lives to drug abuse last year - heroin played a roll in many of them.
But Buvidal has been described as “life changing” and is now offering opioid users the chance to get off the killer drug.
Renfrewshire Health and Social Care Partnership - which is responsible for addiction services across the local authority area - says it is ready to offer the medication following successful trials in Glasgow.
A spokesman said: “Following the trials in Glasgow, we are planning to begin administering Buvidal in Renfrewshire from September, initially to a small number of known service users.
“This is a welcome addition to the existing range of treatment options available, although we recognise that Buvidal is not suitable for everyone and will manage its administration accordingly.”
In 2019 Glasgow health bosses conducted a Buvidal trial involving 14 patients.
It found that, following six months of treatment, all patients remained engaged in structured activity, such as working with the recovery community, undertaking occupational therapy, employment or training.
The medication has since been given to more than 100 people addicted to opioids across the NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde health board area.
It’s hoped it will have a similar effect on drug users in Renfrewshire who will continue to be supported with counselling and peer support at the addiction centre in Paisley’s Back Sneddon Street.
Crucial to Buvidal’s success is the patient’s commitment to move away from opioid use.
The medication’s ability to block opioid receptors in the brain for up to one month allows patients to engage with the services they need and the long-term support required to help make sure that they do not relapse into old habits.
