Former Heroin Addict Fights to End "Postcode Lottery" for Life-Saving Treatment.
A former heroin addict who turned her life around with a ground-breaking treatment was recently campaigning to make it more widely available across England.
Keeley Knowles, now 42, told Channel 5 News she began using heroin at the age of 13 after being groomed by an older man. Her decades-long addiction had devastating consequences, costing society—including retailers, prisons, health services, and police—hundreds of thousands of pounds.
After years of struggle, Keeley finally broke free from addiction with the help of a slow-release monthly injection called buprenorphine, marketed as Buvidal in the UK. The treatment, priced at £240 per month, offers a more convenient and potentially transformative alternative to the £29-a-month daily methadone treatment.
While Buvidal is widely used in NHS addiction services in Wales and Scotland, access in England remains limited. Here, funding for addiction treatments is determined by local authorities, creating a stark "postcode lottery" for those seeking help.
Keeley, who once believed she would die a "junkie," is now on a mission to advocate for broader access to Buvidal, urging authorities to invest in the treatment. "This has given me a second chance at life," she said. "I want others to have that same opportunity."
Experts caution that Buvidal isn't a one-size-fits-all solution. It must be used alongside a comprehensive support package tailored to individual needs. However, Keeley’s story highlights the potential for innovative treatments to help people rebuild their lives.
By sharing her journey, Keeley hopes to inspire change and encourage decision-makers in England to ensure more equitable access to life-saving treatments like Buvidal.
Watch the Channel 5 News story via Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/15gFh92dK7/
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