January 9, 2026
“What would you say to someone about to get behind the wheel drunk?”
It’s a phrase that’s racked up over 56,000 views online as part of a local drink driving campaign.
Launched by Ashburton Community Alcohol and Drug Services (ACADs) the “What Would You Say” campaign aims to ask Mid Cantabrians what they would say to a drink driver.
Over 70 people – from rugby players, to firefighters, paramedics and even Ashburton Guardian staff –have been interviewed for the project so far.
The aim is to get 133 responses total, to represent the 133 people who were convicted of driving under the influence in Ashburton over 2024.
Kai whakatairanga hauora health promoter Steph Poole spearheaded the project, and said that statistic was purposefully chosen over something like a road death toll.
“Lots of people focus on the worst-case scenario,” she said.
“It is obviously life-changing, but it's also life-changing when you get a conviction, and you lose your job, your family, your ability to drive yourself around.
“It's all of those things that people don't necessarily think about.”
ACADs has given out posters, bar mats, pens and stickers with drink-driving messaging in the past, but there’s power in using local faces, Poole said.
“It is a small community, so featuring 133 people… the goal was that everybody would know somebody, and that it hits home a little bit more,” she said.
“People are looking out for either their interview, or their friend’s interview.”
The campaign has already surpassed 56,000 views on Facebook since its first video’s release in early December.
“It’s been really, really cool for us to see that engagement,” Poole said.
She also said a number of people had reached out to ACADs in response to the campaign, wanting to turn a page in 2027.
ACADs is on the hunt for more faces for the campaign, and are particularly keen for someone to answer in reo Māori and New Zealand Sign Language.
“We’ve had people speak Nepalese, Samoan, Tongan, Filipino so far - trying to keep it really diverse and really broad.”
She hopes people take the messages in the videos to heart.
“People do get caught out.
“What you could drink, what I could drink, what everybody could drink, is different when it comes to how much you blow. That's why we say if you are going to drink, just don't drive.
“It could be really life-changing, even if you don't hurt somebody or yourself.”
By Anisha Satya
“What would you say to someone about to get behind the wheel drunk?”
It’s a phrase that’s racked up over 56,000 views online as part of a local drink driving campaign.
Launched by Ashburton Community Alcohol and Drug Services (ACADs) the “What Would You Say” campaign aims to ask Mid Cantabrians what they would say to a drink driver.
Over 70 people – from rugby players, to firefighters, paramedics and even Ashburton Guardian staff –have been interviewed for the project so far.
The aim is to get 133 responses total, to represent the 133 people who were convicted of driving under the influence in Ashburton over 2024.
Kai whakatairanga hauora health promoter Steph Poole spearheaded the project, and said that statistic was purposefully chosen over something like a road death toll.
“Lots of people focus on the worst-case scenario,” she said.
“It is obviously life-changing, but it's also life-changing when you get a conviction, and you lose your job, your family, your ability to drive yourself around.
“It's all of those things that people don't necessarily think about.”
ACADs has given out posters, bar mats, pens and stickers with drink-driving messaging in the past, but there’s power in using local faces, Poole said.
“It is a small community, so featuring 133 people… the goal was that everybody would know somebody, and that it hits home a little bit more,” she said.
“People are looking out for either their interview, or their friend’s interview.”
The campaign has already surpassed 56,000 views on Facebook since its first video’s release in early December.
“It’s been really, really cool for us to see that engagement,” Poole said.
She also said a number of people had reached out to ACADs in response to the campaign, wanting to turn a page in 2027.
ACADs is on the hunt for more faces for the campaign, and are particularly keen for someone to answer in reo Māori and New Zealand Sign Language.
“We’ve had people speak Nepalese, Samoan, Tongan, Filipino so far - trying to keep it really diverse and really broad.”
She hopes people take the messages in the videos to heart.
“People do get caught out.
“What you could drink, what I could drink, what everybody could drink, is different when it comes to how much you blow. That's why we say if you are going to drink, just don't drive.
“It could be really life-changing, even if you don't hurt somebody or yourself.”
By Anisha Satya
