The Brief Addiction Science Information Source (BASIS)

Who Protects US?

Editor’s Note: This editorial was written by Karen Amichia, a Research Coordinator at the Division on Addiction. Ms. Amichia prepared this editorial as part of our Special Series on Race and Addiction. We thank her for generously sharing her story with our readers. We hope that readers with the same kinds of experiences will feel less alone after reading this piece. This piece includes descriptions of sexual violence and readers should use their best judgement in reading this story.  Read more →

When Justice for Black People Begins, the Looting Will Stop

Editor’s note: This op-ed was prepared by Malakai Z. Hart and Carl L. Hart, PhD. Malakai Hart is a student at Columbia University. Carl Hart (@drcarlhart) is a professor of psychology and psychiatry at Columbia University and the author of the forthcoming “Drug Use for Grown-ups: Chasing Liberty in the Land of Fear.” Mr. Hart and Dr. Hart prepared this op-ed is part of our Special Series on Race and Addiction. Read more →

The DRAM, Vol. 16(7) - What is the role of racism in the development of alcohol problems among African American young adults?

This week, as part of our Special Series on Race and Addiction, The DRAM reviews a study by Jinni Su and colleagues that examined how overt racism and more subtle racism in the form of microaggressions are associated with alcohol problems among African American young adults. Read more →

No Justice, No Peace: Racism Is A Public Health Issue

Editor’s note: The following editorial was prepared by Vanessa Graham, Manager of Grants and Resource Development at the Division on Addiction. This editorial is part of our Special Series on Race and Addiction. Read more →

The WAGER, Vol. 25(6) - Which came first, the chicken or the egg? The temporal relationship of substance use and problem gambling among African American and White Adolescents and Young Adults

This week, as part of our Special Series on Race and Addiction, The WAGER reviews an article by Kimberly Werner and colleagues that looked at the temporal relationship between gambling, alcohol, cannabis and tobacco initiation and whether this relationship differs for African American and White adolescents and young adults. Read more →

‘Uncomfortable’ is Not Enough: Integrating Anti-racism within Addiction Treatment

Editor’s note: The following op-ed was prepared by Sara Matsuzaka, PhD, and Margaret Knapp, LMSW as part of our Special Series on Race and Addiction. Read more →

STASH, Vol. 16(6) - Extended-release naltrexone to treat opioid relapse: Positive outcomes in vulnerable populations

This week, as part of our Special Series on Race and Addiction, STASH reviews a study by Joshua D. Lee and colleagues that examined the effectiveness of extended-release naltrexone in preventing opioid relapse in criminal justice-involved people. Read more →

ASHES, Vol. 16(6) - Tobacco use screening and treatment among psychiatric patients: What factors influence who gets screened during outpatient visits?

This week, as part of our Special Series on Race and Addiction, ASHES reviews a study by Erin Rogers and Christina Wysota that documented racial disparities in physician screening for tobacco use. Read more →

No Time Like The Present: The BASIS Special Series on Race and Addiction

We are privileged to have The BASIS as a worldwide platform for our thoughts and to highlight important research that clarifies the devastating impacts of racism. Because there is no time like the present to start anti-racism work, this month The BASIS will feature a special series on race and addiction, addressing addiction-related discrimination, social determinants of health, health equity, and race. Read more →

Leading a Public Health Response to the Expansion of Gambling in Massachusetts: Engagement, Equity, and Empowerment

This month's Special Series on Community Approaches to Addiction focuses on ways to bring addiction prevention and recovery beyond medical settings and into communities. Today, we feature the fourth in a series of interviews and op-eds with inspiring people who have led efforts to reduce the impact of addiction on their own communities. The Office of Problem Gambling Services, within the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, aims to prevent problem gambling and mitigate gambling-related harms across the Commonwealth. In this op-ed, Victor Ortiz, MSW, LADC I, CADC II, discusses the unique public health response this organization has taken to address problem gambling, informed by the principles of engagement, equity, and empowerment. Read more →