James Griffith Edwards, a British psychiatrist renowned for his work in the study and treatment of alcohol and drug dependence, passed away on September 13, 2012. Born on October 3, 1928, in India, he earned his M.D. from Balliol College, Oxford. Edwards directed the Addiction Research Unit at King's College London and established the UK National Addiction Centre.
He was Editor-in-Chief of the journal Addiction for 25 years and delivered the Edwin Stevens Lecture in 1971. His accolades include the E.M. Jellinek Memorial Award for research on alcohol use disorders and being appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 1987 for his contributions to social science and medicine.
Edwards was a pioneering force in addiction research, developing globally adopted terminology and classifications for alcohol dependence. His publications, including Alcohol, The World’s Favourite Drug and The Treatment of Drinking Problems, remain influential. He supported community-based actions to address addiction and was instrumental in founding Phoenix House and the charity Action on Addiction.
Professor Edwards' legacy includes a commitment to evidence-based policy and the integration of addiction research into practical, humane solutions for alcohol and drug problems. His work continues to inspire advancements in addiction treatment and public health policy.