Man considers suing police

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A Ballarat man who was identified as having tested positive in a roadside drug test is considering launching defamation action against Victoria police.

John de Jong was tested for drugs by police when they set up their new drug bus for roadside saliva testing in the Melbourne suburb of Yarraville on Monday.

Members of the media were present at the time.

Mr de Jong's lawyer, Katalin Blond from Slater and Gordon, says her client has not been charged yet, as police are waiting on the results of a third test to verify the initial two tests.

"Basically what Monday was was a Victoria police public relations exercise and, unfortunately, my client has fallen victim to that," she said.

Mr de Jong says police assured him his face would not be shown in the media after he was tested.

"I just cannot believe that the police would put me in that situation with the media, to have me put on every TV station, to basically be said that I am guilty," he said.

Victorian police say they did not identify the man who tested positive and asked the media also not to identify him?

Police say they did not identify Mr de Jong and asked the media not to identify him.

Mr de Jong says he last smoked marijuana four weeks ago and is innocent.

"I was dumbfounded," he said. "I couldn't believe it because I'd certainly had nothing in my system."

Police say Mr de Jong should get confirmation of the final analysis of his sample within a week.

Police Minister Andre Haermeyer says the roadside drug testing will continue.

"We have satisfied ourselves that this is a completely reliable and accurate process," he said.

By Police Public Relations 15 December 04

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