Campus & Community

LaBrie, 76, substance abuse researcher affiliated with HMS

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Helped create program to detect potential adverse effects from prescription drug interactions

Richard Anthony LaBrie, 76, of Watertown, who long held an affiliation with Harvard Medical School (HMS), died Dec. 31, 2014.

LaBrie, a former Cambridge resident, served in several capacities at Harvard, including as deputy director of the National Technical Center for Substance Abuse Needs Assessment at HMS, where he was also an instructor in the School’s Department of Psychiatry.

A native of Haverhill, Mass., LaBrie graduated from Lowell State teachers college. He taught at John Greenleaf Whittier Elementary School and later earned an Ed.D. from the Harvard Graduate School of Education.

LaBrie was the founder of LaBrie Associates, a medical research consulting firm, which in 1966 created the Drug Intake Management and Evaluation System, Inc. (DIMES). DIMES was a pioneering desktop program that enabled physicians to see potential adverse effects from prescription drug interactions. LaBrie ended his distinguished career as the associate director for data analysis at the Division on Addiction with the Cambridge Health Alliance.

LaBrie is survived by his wife of 48 years, Polly Bitzer LaBrie, also of Watertown and formerly of Cambridge; five daughters, Lori Gayle, Elisa LaBrie, Paula Giorgi, Kathleen LaBrie, and Christina LaBrie; his sister Lucille Boucher; a brother-in-law, John Bitzer, and sister-in-law Katrina Woodhouse; and several grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. He was predeceased by his sister Marjorie Blair.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in LaBrie’s name to the Division on Addiction, Cambridge Health Alliance, 101 Station Landing, Medford, MA 02155. A private memorial will be held later this month.