SANTA CRUZ COUNTY IS PILOTING A NEW DRUG THAT HELPS CURB HEROIN CRAVINGS. THE PRESCRIPTION DRUG CALLED VIVITROL BLOCKS OPIATE RECEPTORS, PREVENTING USERS FROM GETTING HIGH ON NARCOTICS SUCH AS HEROIN AND OXYCONTIN. THE SANTA CRUZ COUNTY DRUG AND ALCOHOL PROGRAM HAS INTRODUCED VIVITROL TO ADDRESS THE CITY’S REVOLVING DOOR PROBLEM. THE PROGRAM CURRENTLY HAS FIVE ACTIVE PARTICIPANTS RECEIVING AN INJECTION ONCE A MONTH. THE DRUG HAS BEEN INTRODUCED IN A NUMBER OF COUNTIES IN CALIFORNIA.
