@c5news: Keeley Knowles was 13 when she became hooked on heroin after being groomed by an older man. She believes her addiction cost retailers, prisons, health services and police hundreds of thousands of pounds. Now 42, she's finally clean, thanks to a slow-release monthly injection called buprenorphine - licensed as Buvidal in the UK. It costs £240 a month compared to £29 for daily methadone treatment. Buvidal is becoming a common treatment in Wales and Scotland's NHS addiction services. But in England, where local authorities decide which treatments to fund, it's less widely available and access has been called a "postcode lottery." Keeley is on a mission to give authorities the confidence to invest in it. But, experts warn Buvidal doesn't work for everyone and must be used as part of a package of support. Keeley tells @tessachapmannews she used to think she would die a junkie. Now, she's having a second go at life and wants others to have the same chance. #recovery #buvidal #buvidalinjection #drugawareness #addiction

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Wednesday 22 January 2025 17:12:57 GMT