Sixty-five percent of opiate addicts taking part in a buprenorphine trial in Maryland stayed in treatment for at least six months, officials said.

The Associated Press reported July 19 that Baltimore health officials called the results encouraging, although they noted that the 90-day retention rate in methadone programs is more than 80 percent.

The $1-million Baltimore buprenorphine project has enrolled 269 addicts, and similar programs are being established elsewhere in the state.