Pubdate: Thu, 23 Dec 2004
Source: Ballarat Courier (Australia)
Copyright: 2004 Rural Press Ltd
Contact:  http://www.thecourier.com.au/thecourier/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/928

DRIVER CLEARED OF DRUG USE

BALLARAT'S John De Jong and his family intend to enjoy a quiet
Christmas this year, after enduring the most traumatic week of their
lives.

Mr De Jong was yesterday cleared by Victoria Police of drug use, after
returning the world's first positive roadside drug test on December
13.

"This has been the most traumatic event of my life, not only for me
but for my family," he said.

Mr De Jong, who will celebrate his 40th birthday on Christmas Day,
said his family had stood by him during the stressful time.

His wife Kay and daughters Danielle, 17, and Belinda, 13, were by his
side yesterday.

"It's been a rocky road and it's had a big effect on the lives of my
girls and my wife.

"You get the feeling there are eyes on you everywhere you
go."

Mr De Jong said he would like a public apology from Victoria
Police.

"I believe no one should have to go through what my family and I have
gone through this week," he said.

"I would think they would apologise for what they've put me
through."

Mrs De Jong said the past week had been a very stressful time for the
family, but they had stuck together.

"John's a good man, he's a good husband," she said.

"We've always worked together."

Mrs De Jong said the family would have many reasons to celebrate on
Christmas day.

"It'll be a pretty good Christmas, presents can't really match this,"
she said.

Danielle said she had always believed her dad, but some people had
formed their own opinions.

"I've always believed my dad, nothing's going to change
that."

Belinda, who struggled to hold back tears, said she was relieved
everyone knew her dad was innocent.

Mr De Jong's lawyer Katalin Blond, of Ballarat's Slater and Gordon,
said her client was pleased he had been vindicated and now wanted to
regain some normality in his life and address the damage caused by the
publication of incorrect test results.

"At the very least I think the family deserves an apology," Ms Blond
said.

She said it proved extreme caution should be taken before introducing
new technology.

Mr De Jong said he had not decided whether he would seek defamation
proceedings against Victoria Police.

"I haven't had a chance to sit down with my lawyer and discuss that
yet."

Mr De Jong received the results of the independent saliva test on
Tuesday night, which confirmed the sample did not contain
delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (cannabis) and received a fax from
Victoria Police yesterday morning, confirming neither
methylamphetamine or delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol
had been found in his oral fluid sample.

Police Minister Andre Haerdhmeyer has defended the roadside drug
testing in a letter to The Courier.

"It will be initially controversial," he said.

"But the three layers of testing will ensure no one will be wrongly
fined or lose their license."

Mr Haermeyer said the testing process had been put through nearly two
years of rigorous evaluation by Victoria Police, Vicroads and
Swinburne University.

"Like the preliminary blood alcohol test, it is not of an evidentiary
standard.

"It is possible that the results at the roadside may not be confirmed
by the laboratory analysis."

Mr Haermeyer said Victoria had always led the world in road safety
initiatives.

"We were the first in the world to introduce compulsory seat belt
legislation. We were the first in the world to introduce random
roadside alcohol testing. There was debate and controversy around
those initiatives at the time.

But no one can deny they have saved thousands of lives," he said.
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MAP posted-by: Derek