Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT)
http://www.buprenorphine.samhsa.gov/

Untreated opioid (heroin and prescription opiates) dependence leads to HIV transmission and seroconversion. Twenty-five percent of the approximately 40,000 new HIV infections each year are due to injection drug use. In addition, HIV seropositive persons with opioid dependence are less likely to receive or adhere to HAART. However, research has demonstrated that opioid agonist treatment (methadone, buprenorphine) is associated with reduced HIV seroconversion and an increased likelihood of receipt and adherence to HAART.

Buprenorphine, a partial opioid agonist approved for treatment of opioid dependence in physician's offices, is an effective therapy for the treatment of opioid dependence. Physicians, including HIV physicians who are certified in addiction medicine or complete an 8 hour training provided by designated medical societies will qualify for the use of this new treatment paradigm.