Archive for March, 2010
- Old Marijuana Charge Keeps Canadian Woman from Crossing the Border to the US
The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) is an international program, codified in the Immigration & Nationality Act (INA) at section 217, that is designed to simplify the international travel process for certain citizens of the thirty-four member countries. A citizen of one of the member countries, if she meets the program qualifications, can travel to another member country for certain reasons (such as tourism or work conferences) for up to 90 days without having to first obtain a visa. For instance, if a French citizen wishes to enter the United States to visit Disney World, and he qualifies under the VWP, he simply shows his passport at the port of entry (after completing a process online). A citizen from China, on the other hand, would have to first obtain a B-2 visa from a US Embassy or Consulate abroad prior to traveling to the United States, because China is not part of the Visa Waiver Program.
- Drug Addiction & Alcoholism: Grounds of Inadmissibility to the United States
Certain aliens, whether applying for non-immigrant or immigrant benefits, can be deemed inadmissible to the United States for health-related issues pursuant to section 212(a)(1) of the INA. In addition to communicable diseases such as tuberculosis and HIV (which was recently removed from the list), other mental health or physical issues can affect a person’s ability to visit, live or work in the US. Certain medical issues, such as organ failure or certain forms of cancer, will make an applicant inadmissible for financial reasons as immigration officials fear that the person will be a drain on public benefits. To overcome this ground of inadmissibility, the applicant must have a US citizen or green card holder willing to be financially responsible for the person’s support, as well as funds or insurance to cover any potential treatment that will likely be needed in the future to treat the issue.
- National Drug Threat Assessment 2010 Released
The National Drug Intelligence Center (NDIC), a component of the Department of Justice and the nation’s principal center for strategic drug intelligence, has released the National Drug Threat Assessment 2010 (NDTA 2010), detailing drug trafficking and abuse trends within the United States.
- Minnesota Seems Ready to Ban Salvia
After several failed attempts in past sessions, the Minnesota Legislature appears poised to ban a little-known plant called salvia divinorum that, when ingested or smoked, has psychedelic properties. Andy Birkey of the Minnesota Independent writes that bills that would penalize those who sell or possess the herb have moved through House and Senate committees and now await floor votes in both chambers.
- UFC Fighter Beats Prescription Drug Addiction
It’s not often that an MMA fighter is thankful for a drug suspension, but James Irvin’s positive drug test in 2008 forced him to overcome a painkiller addiction, the UFC fighter tells The Canadian Press.
- South Korea to Offer Software to Help Internet Addicts
South Korea will offer gamers and others who have problems with Internet addiction free software to help them limit the time they spend on the web, the prime minister’s office said on Tuesday.
- Vicodin Abuse Increasing Among Teens
The 2006 Monitoring the Future Survey reported that 3 percent of eighth graders, 7 percent of ninth graders, and 9.7 percent of all high school seniors in the country admitted to abusing Vicodin during the previous year.
- Cocaine Overdose Deaths Increase in Warmer Temperatures
The number of New Yorkers who die of cocaine overdose appears to go up when the temperature surpasses 75 degrees, a new study suggests. The findings, reported in the journal Addiction, suggest that relatively hot days may increase cocaine users’ vulnerability to the drug’s potentially fatal effects.
- UN Says Developing Countries Could Face Drug Addiction Disaster
Developing countries could face a "health disaster" if wealthy countries fail to control drugs, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime warned on Monday.
- Korean Couple’s Online Game Addiction Leads to Baby’s Death
A couple was arrested for child neglect after their baby girl starved to death, allegedly because they were addicted to playing a popular online role-playing game called “Prius Online,” which involves raising a virtual baby.