Mission. The mission of the BASIS
is to strengthen worldwide understanding of addiction and minimize its
harmful effects. To work toward this goal, the BASIS provides a
forum for the free exchange of information related to addiction, and
public access to the latest scientific developments and resources in the
field.
Origins. The
Division on Addictions (DOA) at
the Cambridge Health Alliance, an affiliate of Harvard Medical School is one of the
country’s premier centers for the study of addictive behavior. Our
mission is to strengthen worldwide understanding of addiction through
innovative research, education and information exchange. In the spirit
of our mission, the Division has created the BASIS, a
virtual institute to advance addiction science, and addiction-related
education and clinical services.
Description. In
anticipation of the 10th anniversary of The Worldwide Addiction Gambling
Education Report (The WAGER), the DOA began a development project
that would expand both the types of free science reviews available to
the general public and organize other important addiction services
within a single web portal. Thus, in addition to the The WAGER,
the BASIS offers four new weekly science reviews. The Drinking
Report for Addiction Medicine (DRAM) and Addiction Smoking Health
Education Service (ASHES) address issues related to alcohol and
tobacco use and abuse respectively. STASH addresses substance use
and abuse. In addition, a humanities review
called Addiction and the Humanities discusses literature, art, music,
and contemporary culture as these relate to addiction. Furthermore, the BASIS
will provide access to innovative addiction self-help tools and
addiction resources.
Rationale. Too often
clinical resources are accessible only to academics or are available at
such high prices that they are unaffordable to individuals in-need. Our
primary goal is to provide the general public, treatment providers,
policy makers, and other interested individuals with free direct access
to the latest scientific information and resources on addiction. It is
our hope that readers will use the BASIS to better their lives and the
lives of others.
