Curriculum Vitae
Bruce K. Alexander, Professor Emeritus
Department of Psychology
Simon Fraser University
Burnaby, British Columbia
V5A 1S6
Birthdate: 20 December, 1939
2529 William Street
Vancouver, B.C.
V5K 2Y3
Home Telephone - (604) 253-2046
Email - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Citizenship: Canadian
Education
B.A. Miami University, Oxford, Ohio, 1961
M.S. University of Wisonsin, Madison, 1963
Ph.D. University of Wisconsin, Madison, 1966
Major - Comparative Psychology
Minor - Zoology
Major Professor - H.F. Harlow
Employment
Professor Emeritus, Department of Psychology, Simon Fraser University, 2005-present.
Professor, Department of Psychology, Simon Fraser University, 1983-2005.
Associate Professor, Department of Psychology, Simon Fraser University, 1971-1983.
Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, Simon Fraser University, 1970-1971.
Assistant Scientist, Department of Reproductive Physiology and Behavior, Oregon Regional Primate Research Center, 1967-1970.
Assistant Professor, Department of Medical Psychology,University of Oregon Medical School, 1967-1970.
Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, Miami University, 1966-1967.
Instructor, Department of Psychology, Miami University, 1965-1966.
Awards and Grants
1958 Freshman Chemistry Award, Miami University
1960 Phi Beta Kappa
1960-61 Undergraduate Fellow, Miami University
1961-62 Woodrow Wilson Fellow
1968-69 National Institute of Health Research Grant,$30,000
1971 President's Research Grant, $2,000
1973-74 President's Research Grant, $1,288
1975-76 Non-medical Use of Drugs Directorate Research Grant, $33,075
1978-79 President's Research Grant, $1,500
1978-79 Canada Council Leave Fellowship, $10,400
1980-81 Steel Fund Research Grant (with B.Beyerstein) $12,540
1981-82 Steel Fund Research Grant (with B.Beyerstein), $17,507
1982 Steel Fund Research Grant, $7,330
1983 Steel Fund Research Grant (with B.Beyerstein), $15,923
1984 Steel Fund Research Grant, $2,900
1985 Steel Fund Research Grants, $5,163; $2,414
1987 Steel Fund Research Grant, $5,000
1993 World Health Organization (WHO) Contract, $6,000
1993 Ministry of Health, B.C., Grant, $25,000
1997 Fellow of Canadian Psychological Association
2007 Sterling Prize for Controversy, Simon Fraser University
2009 High Commendation: British Medical Association Annual Book Awards for The Globalisation of Addiction: A study in poverty of the spirit.
Professional Memberships
Canadian Foundation for Drug Policy (Ottawa), Founding Member
Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (Ottawa), Research Associate
Canadian Psychological Association, Fellow
International Anti-Prohibitionist League (Brussels, Belgium)
Drug Policy Foundation (Washington, D.C.)
Faculty Association, Simon Fraser University.
Teaching Interests
Psychology of Addiction
History of Psychology
Scholarly Publications (Please note,: Since my retirement from active teaching and university-based research in 2005, most of my writing has been prepared for public speeches and for my website, globalizationofaddiction.ca.)
Alexander, B.K. (2009, February). An open letter to Margaret Wente: We need to think more analytically about harm reduction. The CCPA Monitor: Economic, Social, and Environmental Perpsectives, pp. 21-25
Alexander, B.K. (2008). The globalisation of addiction: A study in poverty of the spirit. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Paperback Edition, 2010.
Alexander, B.K. (2006). Beyond Vancouver’s “Four Pillars”. International Journal of Drug Policy, 17, 118-123.
Alexander, B.K. (2004). A historical analysis of addiction. In P. Rosenqvist, J. Blomqvist, A. Koski-Jännes, & L. Öjesjö (Eds.), Addiction and life course (pp. 11 - 27). Helsinki, Finland: Nordic Council for Alcohol and Drug Research.
Alexander, B.K. & Tsou, J. (2001). Prospects for stimulant maintenance in Vancouver, Canada. Addiction Research, 9, 97-132.
Alexander, B.K. (2001). The roots of addiction in free market society. Occasional Paper of the Canadian Centre for Policy Analysis, Vancouver, B.C. Downloadable at: http://www.policyalternatives.ca/index.cfm?act=news&call=224&do=article&pA=BB736455
Published abridgements or summaries of this article:
Alexander, B.K. (2004). Finding the roots of addiction. Transition, 34(2), 3-7
Alexander, B.K. (2002). The spread of addiction in a globalising world. Yearbook of the Adlerian Society (United Kingdom) and the Institute for Individual Psychology, pp. 33-57
Alexander, B.K. (2001, Fall). The roots of addiction in free market society. Subterrain, 4 (32), 8-15
Alexander, B.K. (2001, 20 July). Getting at the roots of addiction. The Globe and Mail, A13.
Beers, D. (2001, 28 April). Vancouver: Home of the terminal addict: Psychologist says our sense of dislocation leads to addiction. The Vancouver Sun, p. B1, B8.
Alexander, B.K. (2000). The globalization of addiction. Addiction Research, 8 (6), 501-526.
Alexander, B.K. (1998). Reframing Canada's "drug problem". Policy Options, 19(8), 28-30.
Alexander, B.K. (1998). Mark Twain and the American Approach to Drugs: A view from Canada. PsychNews International: An online publication. 3(4), Section E.
Alexander, B.K., Dawes, G.A., van de Wijngaart, G.F., Ossebaard, H.C., & Maraun, M.D. (1998). The "temperance mentality": A comparison of university students in seven countries. Journal of Drug Issues, 28, 265-282.
Alexander, B.K. & van de Wijngaart, G.F. (1997). An obstacle to harm reduction: Support for the "Temperance mentality" among university students in six countries. In P.G. Erickson & D. Riley (Eds.), Harm reduction: A new direction for policies and programs. Toronto: University of Toronto Press.
Alexander, B.K., Schweighofer, A.R.F., & Dawes, G.A. (1996). American and Canadian drug policy: A Canadian perspective. In W.K. Bikel & R.J. De Grandpre (Eds.), Drug policy and human nature: Psychological perspectives on the control, prevention, and treatment of illicit drug use. New York: Plenum.
Alexander, B.K., van de Wijngaart, G., Lewis, C., and Ossebaard, H. (1995). Il modello di malattia dell' assuefazione: è malato e stanco. di Veronica Quaderno, 4, 35-42.
Burt, G., Roney, C., Dawes, G., Nijdam, D., Beyerstein, B.L., van de Wijngaart, G.F., Ossebaard, H.C., and Alexander, B.K. (1994). The temperance mentality: A survey of students at a Canadian university. Contemporary Drug Problems, 21, 301-328.
Alexander, B.K. (1994). L'héroïne et la cocaïne provoquent-elles la dépendance? Au carrefour de la science et des dogmes établis. In P. Brisson (ed.) L'usage des drogues et la toxicomanie. Montreal: Gaëtan Morin.
Alexanger, B.K. (1993). Fastforward: The future of alcohol and other drug concerns in Canada. Action News (Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse), 4 (5), 3-4 (exerpted in Moderation Reader 1993, 7(6), 13; Reprinted in Ayendeh, July 1994).
Alexander, B.K., Lewis, C., van Wijngaarden, J., & van de Wijngaart, G.F. (1992). Dubious consensus: Support for anti-drug policy among Dutch and Canadian university students. Journal of Drug Issues, 22, 903-922.
Alexander, B.K. (1992). Is there a Canadian War on Drugs? Policy Options, 13, 3-5.
Alexander, B.K., van de Wijngaart, G.F., Lewis, C., & Ossabard, H. (1992). The Disease of Addiction: It's Sick and Tired. in Strategies for Change: New Directions for Drug Policy, A.S. Trebach and K. B. Zeese (Eds.) Washington, D.C.: The Drug Policy Foundation Press.
Alexander, B.K. (1991) Illicit drugs: Two distinct issues. Canadian Pharmaceutical Journal, 124, 470-472.
Alexander, B.K. (1991). Peaceful measures. Canadian Pharmaceutical Journal, 124, 66-73, 83-95.
Wong, L.S. & Alexander, B.K. (1991) Cocaine-related deaths: Media coverage in the War on Drugs. Journal of Drug Issues, 21, 105-119.
Alexander, B.K. (1990). Peaceful Measures: Canada's Way Out of the `War on Drugs'. Toronto, University of Toronto Press.
Alexander, B.K. & Holborn, P.L. (1990) Editors of Special Issue of Journal of Drug Issues devoted to `Alternatives to the War on Drugs'. (Vol. 20, no. 4)
Alexander, B.K. & Holborn, P.L. (1990). Introduction: A time for change. Journal of Drug Issues, 20, 509-513.
Alexander, B.K. (1990). Empirical and theoretical bases for an adaptive model of addiction. Journal of Drug Issues, 20, 37-66.
Alexander, B.K. (1990) Alternatives to the War on Drugs. Journal of Drug Issues, 20, 1-28.
Erickson, P.G. & Alexander, B.K. (1989). Cocaine and addictive liability. Social Pharmacology, 3, 249-270. (Reprinted in Schaler, J.A. (ed.) (1998). Drugs: Should we legalize, decriminalize, or deregulate? Amherst, NY: Prometheus Books.)
Alexander, B.K. (1989). Alternatives à la guerre contre la drogue. Psychotropes, 5, 1-2, 45-48.
Alexander, B.K. & Schweighofer, A.R.F. (1988). The prevalence of addiction among university students. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, 2, 116-123.
Alexander, B.K., MacInnes, T.M., & Beyerstein, B.L. (1988). Methadone and addict mortality. British Columbia Medical Journal, 30, 160-163.
Alexander, B.K., & Schweighofer, A.R.F. (1988). Defining "addiction". Canadian Psychology, 29, 151-162. (Reprinted in Schaler, J.A. (ed.) (1998). Drugs: Should we legalize, decriminalize, or deregulate? Amherst, NY: Prometheus Books.)
Forgie, M.L., Beyerstein, B.L., & Alexander, B.K. (1988). Contributions of taste factors and gender to opioid preference in genetically selected mice. Psychopharmacology, 95, 237-244.
Alexander, B.K., Beyerstein, B.L., & MacInnes, T.M. (1987). Methadone treatment in B.C.: Bad medicine? Canadian Medical Association Journal, 136, 25-28.
Alexander, B.K. (1987). The disease and adaptive models of addiction: A "framework evaluation." Journal of Drug Issues, 17, 47-66. (Reprinted in S. Peele (Ed.) (1988) Views of addiction. Lexington. D. C. Heath.)
Alexander, B.K. (1987). How effective is the disease model? U.S. Journal of Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 11(12), 7. ("Point-Counterpoint" Column.)
Alexander, B.K. (1986). Models of addiction and the `War on Drugs.' British Columbia Psychologist, 1, 3-16.
Alexander, B.K. (1986). What can professional psychotherapists do about heroin addiction? In A. Carmi and S. Schneider (Eds.), Drugs and Alcohol, Heidelberg: Springer-Verlag. (Reprinted in Medicine and Law, 5, 323-330.)
Alexander, B.K. (1985). Drug use, dependence and addiction in British Columbia university students. Canadian Journal of Higher Education, 15, 13-30.
Beyerstein, B.L., & Alexander, B.K. (1985). Why treat doctors like pushers? Canadian Medical Association, 132, 337-341.
Peele, S., & Alexander, B.K. (1985). Theories of addiction. In S. Peele (Ed.), The meaning of addiction, Lexington, Mass.: Lexington.
Alexander, B.K., Peele, S., Hadaway, P.F., Morse, S.J., Brodsky, A., & Beyerstein, B.L. (1985). Adult, infant and animal addiction. In S.Peele (Ed.), The meaning of addiction. Lexington, Mass.: Lexington.
Petrie, B.F., Gabert, H.F., Toms, M.P., Tressel, W.R., Alexander, B.K., & Beyerstein, B.L. (1985). The use of computer controlled drinking systems in pharmacological research. In J. Archibald, J. Ditchfield, & N.C. Rowsell (Eds.), The contribution of laboratory animal science to the welfare of man and animals. New York: Gustav Fischer Verlag.
Alexander, B.K. (1984). When experimental psychology is not empirical enough: The case of the "exposure orientation." Canadian Psychology, 25, 84-95. (Reprinted in J. Blackwell & P. Erickson (1988), Illicit drugs in Canada. Agincourt, Ontario, Methuen.)
Alexander, B.K., & Beyerstein, B.L. (1983). A compromise to the opiate prescribing conflict. British Columbia Medical Journal, 25, 620-622.
Alexander, B.K., & Beyerstein, B.L. (1983). What to do about heroin. Policy Options, 4, 37-38.
Alexander, B.K., & Hadaway, P.F. (1982). Opiate addiction: The case for an adaptive orientation. Psychological Bulletin, 92, 367-381.
Alexander, B.K. (1981). James M.Barrie and the expanding definition of addiction. Journal of Drug Issues, 11, 77-91.
Alexander, B.K., Beyerstein, B.L., Hadaway, P.F. & Coambs, R.B. (1981). The effects of early and later colony housing on oral ingestion of morphine in rats. Pharmacology, Biochemistry, & Behavior, 15, 571-576.
Alexander, B.K. & Hadaway, P.F. (1981). Theories of Opiate Addiction: Time for Pruning? Journal of Drug Issues, 11, 77-91.
Coambs, R.B., Alexander, B.K., Davis, C.M., Hadaway, P.F. & Tressel, W.R. (1980). A drug dispenser to measure individual drinking in rat colonies. Pharmacology, Biochemistry and Behavior, 13, 593-595.
Brunke, M., Bowman, M., Alexander, B.K. & Coambs, R.B. (1980). Failure to find an effect of catheterization on oral morphine consumption in rats. Psychological Reports, 47, 444-446.
Alexander, B.K., Hadaway, P.F. & Coambs, R.B. Rat park chronicle. (1980). British Columbia Medical Journal, 22, 54-56. (Reprinted in Readings for Canadian Writing Students. W. Schermbrucker (Ed.) Capilano College Press, 1980, now in 4th Edition. Also reprinted in J. Blackwell & P. Erickson (1988), Illicit drugs in Canada. Methuen: Agincourt, Ontario. Also reprinted in J.A. Schaler (ed.) (1998). Drugs: Should we legalize, decriminalize, or deregulate? Amherst, NY: Prometheus Books.)
Hadaway, P.F., Alexander, B.K., Coambs, R.B. & Beyerstein, B. (1979). The effect of housing and gender on preference for morphine-sucrose solutions in rats. Psychopharmacology, 66, 87-91.
Alexander, B.K., Coambs, R.B. & Hadaway, P.F. (1978). The effect of housing and gender on morphine self-administration in rats. Psychopharmacology, 58, 175-179.
Dibb, G.S. & Alexander, B.K. (1977). An automated procedure for correlation of Q-sorts. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 45, 1264-1266.
Alexander, B.K. & Dibb, G.S. (1977). Interpersonal Perception in Addict-families. Family Process, 16, 17-26.
Alexander, B.K. & Dibb, G.S. (1975). Opiate addicts and their parents. Family Process, 14, 499-514.
Alexander, B.K. & Hughes, J. (1971). Canine teeth and rank in Japanese monkeys. Primates, 12, 91-93.
Alexander, B.K. & Roth, E.M. (1971). The effect of acute crowding on aggressive behavior of Japanese monkeys. Behaviour, 39, 73-90.
Alexander, B.K. (1970). Parental behavior of adult male Japanese monkeys, Behaviour, 36, 270-285.
Alexander, B.K., Hall, A.S. & Bowers, J.M. (1969). A primate corral. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 155, 1144-1150.
Alexander, B.K. & Bowers, J.M. (1969). The social organization of a troop of Japanese monkeys in a two-acre corral. Folia Primatologica, 10, 230-242.
Alexander, B.K. & Bowers, J.M. (1967). The social structure of the Oregon Troop of Japanese Macaques. Primates, 8, 333-340.
Bowers, J.M. & Alexander, B.K. (1967). Mice: Individual recognition by Olfactory cues. Science, 158, 1208-1210.
Alexander, B.K. & Harlow, H.F. (1965). Social behavior of juvenile rhesus monkeys subjected to different rearing conditions during the first six months of life. Zoologische Jahrbucher, 71, 489-508.
Seay, B.M., Alexander, B.K. & Harlow, H.F. (1964). Maternal behavior of socially deprived rhesus monkeys. Journal of Abnormal and Social Psychology, 68, 345-354.
Non-Refereed Publications
Alexander, B.K. (2009, 19 November). Addiction: A disorder of choice. (A review of Gene Heyman’s book by this title). Times Higher Education.
Alexander, B.K. (2009, April). Treatment and harm reduction professionals need to make peace. Canadian Nurse, 105(4), 40.
Alexander, B.K. (2006, 11 April). It’s time to exorcise the idea that addicts are possessed by demons. The Daily Telegraph (London, UK), Science Page.
Alexander, B.K. (2004, September). A courageous struggle against Western greed, brutal oppression. The CCPA Monitor: Economic, Social, and Environmental Perspectives, p. 2.
Alexander, B.K. (2003, 11 December). Bidden to Bagdad. The Republic, p. 11.
Alexander, B.K. (2003, 20 February). In conversation with a human shield. The Republic, p. 1.
Alexander, B.K. (2002, 4 April). What are you doing with your treaty ballot? Bruce Alexander plans to use his to send a message to the government. The Republic of East Vancouver, p. 1.
Alexander, B.K. (2001, 4 October). The United States of Denial. The Republic of East Vancouver, 1(23).
Alexander, B.K. & Shaler, S. (2001, August). Roots of addiction in a free market economy. Common Ground, Issue Number 121, pp. 8, 9, 29.
Alexander, B.K. (1995). Drugs: An alternative perspective (printed in the Persian language). North Vancouver, B.C.: Furugh.
Alexander, B.K. (1994). Mark Twain and the American drug literature. Moderation Reader, 8 (1), 31-37.
Alexander, B.K. (1993). Memorial to the drug war dead. In H. Boston (ed.), Message of the 1993 Memorial Service for Lives Lost in the War on Drugs. Victoria: B.C. Anti-Prohibition League.
Alexander, B.K. (1993). La légalisation des drogues---pour mieux en prévenir les abus par Line Beauchesne. Canadian Journal of Criminology, 35, 223-224. (Book Review).
Alexander, B. K. (1991). Is there a Canadian War on Drugs? Social Policy Issues, 4, 3-6.
Alexander, B.K. (1990). Snow Job: Cocaine's hazards and addictive power have been greatly exaggerated. Reason, 22(7), 29-34.
Alexander, B.K. (1990). Beware the cure. Reason: 22(4), 49-50. (Book review).
Alexander, B.K. (1971). Old world monkeys, Bioscience. (Book review).
Alexander, B.K. (1970). Man the hunter, Bioscience, 20, 185-186. (Book review).
Alexander, B.K. (1969). Social organization of Hamadryas baboons. Bioscience, 19, 373. (Book review).
Reports, Abstracts, Published Texts of Presentations
Alexander, B.K. (2001, 3 December). Testimony before House of Commons Special Committee on Non-medical Use of Drugs. Available in Committee Proceedings.
Alexander, B.K. (2001, 23 April). Brief and testimony before Senate of Canada Special Committee on Drugs. Available at http://www.parl.gc.ca/37/1/parlbus/commbus/senate/Com-e/ille-e/01evb-E.asp#Bruce Alexander
Alexander, B.K. & Tsou, J. (1999). Beating the Demon: Stimulant Maintenance in Downtown Eastside Vancouver. Report presented to, and available from, Portland Hotel Society, Vancouver, B.C.
Alexander, B.K. (1998). Historical Foundations of Psychology (revised edition). Burnaby, B.C.: Distance Education, Simon Fraser University.
Nadeau, B.G., Alexander, B.K., Wong, L.S., Matthews, L.C.B., & Dawes, G.A. (1995). Country Profile: A century of cocaine use in Canada. Report to World Health Organization.
Matthews, L.C.B., Dawes, G.A., Nadeau, B.G., Wong, L.S., & Alexander, B.K. (1995). The British Columbia key informant survey. Report to World Health Organization.
Alexander, B.K., Matthews, L.C.B., Dawes, G.A., Wong, L.S., & Nadeau, B.G. (1995). Cocaine in British Columbia: A "key informant" study of 60 users, ex-users, intermediaries and professionals. Report submitted to B.C. Ministry of Health and Ministry Responsible for Senior Citizens.
Alexander, B. (1994). The potential for public acceptance of harm reduction measures. In Abstracts of the 5th International Conference on Drug-Related Harm. Toronto: Addiction Research Foundation.
Alexander, B. (1994). Appropriate harm reduction measures from an adaptive perspective on dependence. In Abstracts of the 5th International Conference on Drug-Related Harm. Toronto: Addiction Research Foundation.
Nadeau, B.G. & Alexander, B.K. (1994). Anabolic steroids, cancer and the amelioration of drug related harm. In Abstracts of the 5th International Conference on Drug-Related Harm. Toronto: Addiction Research Foundation.
Mathews, L.C.B. & Alexander, B.K. (1993). Observations of a Vancouver Drug Family. In Drug Policy Foundation (ed.), Manual for policy track of the Seventh International Conference on Drug Policy Reform. (Tab AA, pp. 1-10). (Text of Presentation).
Alexander, B.K. (1992). Impact of research on drug use: Putting cocaine in perspective. (Text of presentation.) In P. Vamos & P.J. Corriveau (Eds.), Drugs of Society to the Year 2000: Proceedings of the XIV World Conference of Therapeutic Communities. Montreal: Portage.
Alexander, B. K., Lewis, C., van Wingaarden, J., van de Wijngaart, G.F. (1992). Attitudes towards the War on Drugs among Dutch and Canadian university students. In P. Vamos & P.J. Corriveau (Eds.), Drugs and Society to the Year 2000: Proceedings of the XIV World Conference on Therapeutic Communities. Montreal: Portage (Abstract).
Salekin, R. T., & Alexander, B. K. (1991). Cocaine and Crime. In A. S. Trebach and K. B. Zeese (Eds.) New Frontiers in Drug Policy. Washington, D.C. Drug Policy Foundation (Proceedings of 1991 Drug Policy Foundation Meetings).
Alexander, B.K. & Wong, L.S. (1990). Cocaine and heart attacks: A critical review. In A.S. Trebach and K.B. Zeese (Eds.) Great Issues in Drug Policy. Washington, D.C.: Drug Policy Foundation.
Wong, L.S. & Alexander, B.K. (1989). Cocaine related deaths. Who are the victims and what are the causes? (Text of Presentation) in A.S. Trebach and K.B. Zeese (Eds.) Drug Policy 1989-1990: A reformer's catalogue. Washington, D.C.: Drug Policy Foundation. Shortened version printed in The Drug Policy Letter, 1990, 2, 9-10.
Alexander, B.K. (1988). Alternatives to the War on Drugs. (Text of Presentation) In Radical Anti-prohibitionist Forum (Ed.), The Cost of Prohibition on Drugs. European Parliament, publication number 3708.
Alexander, B.K. (1988). The reality of drug use in the 1980's: Models of addiction and the War on Drugs. (Text of Plenary Address) Proceedings of the 15th International Institute on the Prevention and Treatment of Drug Dependence. Nordwijkerhout, The Netherlands.
Alexander, B.K. (1988). The disease and adaptive models of addiction. Proceedings of the AADAC Institute on addictions. Calgary, 3-6 July, 1988. (Abstract).
Petrie, B.F., Alexander, B.K., & Beyerstein, B.L. (1984). Failure to replicate an environmental effect of morphine consumption. Canadian Psychology, 25, 380 (abstract).
Petrie, B., Gabert, H., Toms, M., Tressel, W., Alexander, B., & Beyerstein, B. (1983). Use of computer controlled drinking systems in pharmacological research. Proceedings of the VIII International Symposium on Laboratory Animal Science.
Alexander, B.K., Dodsworth, R.O. & Harlow, H.F. (1966). The effects of peer-deprivation on mother-reared rhesus monkeys. American Zoologist, 6, 560. (Abstract).
