diacetylmorphine

Many of them receive injectable pharmaceutical-grade heroin because they have severe addictions and cannot tolerate or do not respond to more conventional treatments, said MacDonald, who has 115 diacetylmorphine and hydromorphone patients there.

Although diacetylmorphine - pure heroin - is prescribed by some UK doctors and in some parts of Europe, Crosstown is the only place in North America that helps addicts get their fix.

They enter through a security door and fill a white-walled waiting area before taking seats in the injection room, where nurses give them a needle and an average dose of 200 milligrams of diacetylmorphine.

Injectable diacetylmorphine, as prescription heroin is known, is a controversial treatment option in some countries, including Canada and the US, but is used regularly in multiple other countries including the United Kingdom and Germany.

"Hydromorphone is a widely available licensed pain medication. Our study shows that hydromorphone is as effective as diacetylmorphine, providing a licensed alternative to treat severe opioid use disorder," Oviedo-Joekes said.