Feldmar had visited the US from Vancouver for years to visit his children, both of whom live in American cities. However, the last time he tried to cross the border, a guard pulled him over and searched for his name on the internet. The search located a journal article Feldmar wrote about his use of LSD in Canada and the U.K. almost 40 years ago.
US government officials have said that because Feldmar admitted drug use, he will never be allowed into the country again unless he obtains an expensive special waiver in which he certifies that he has been rehabilitated.
Speaking to The New York Times, Feldmar asked, "Rehabilitated from what?"
A government spokesperson has pointed to increased security in a post-9/11 world as a reason for using internet searches to unearth information on would-be travellers. The government has not, however, established any link between admitted past drug use and terrorism, reports the DPA.
Current federal law allows immigration and customs officials to bar entry to anyone who has ever used an illegal drug. If fully enforced, the law would bar millions of people around the world from visiting the US, including David Cameron (head of the British Tory party), former Canadian Prime Minister Kim Campbell, the current Premieres of Quebec and Ontario, actors Colin Farrell and Pierce Brosnan, British billionaire Richard Branson (Virgin Air) and, of course, numerous musicians like Paul McCartney, Keith Richards and George Michael.
The DPA has begun lobbying Congressional offices to raise awareness of the case in the hopes that this federal policy will be changed.
"100 million Americans have used an illegal drug at some point in their lives, and it's hard to find a Presidential candidate who hasn't smoked pot; yet we're prohibiting people from other countries who have used drugs from visiting our country. It just doesn't make sense." said Bill Piper, the DPA's director of national affairs.
"Imagine if other countries adopted similar policies. Bill Clinton, Newt Gingrich, Michael Bloomberg, Bill Gates, Brad Pitt, Sam Donaldson and millions of other Americans wouldn't be able to travel."
Source: www.drugpolicy.org
Posted: 18th May 2007
For more information please contact Ruth Goldsmith in the DrugScope Press Office on 020 7940 7517 (07736 895563 out of hours) or at press@drugscope.org.uk
