The Eastern Bay Road Safety Programme's Alcohol and Drug Project Team said farewell last week to Lena Radford-Coles, a committed and inspirational member of the team. Lena was recognised by her colleagues for her contribution to the team, and in particular, her role in coordinating the highly successful two-day, marae-based alcohol and drug offender programme.

The programme for repeat drink and drug drivers was developed and facilitated in collaboration with the Corrections Department, Police and Te Tohu o Te Ora o Ngāti Awa and has achieved outstanding success, with 94% of participants not reoffending in drink/drug driving.

Lena has extensive experience in delivering alcohol harm and addiction programmes and has been a qualified alcohol assessor, and project team members say her retirement is a great loss to our community. 

"The project team continually reviews and enhances the programme and is considering an initiative that will respond to first-time offenders who have breath test outcomes in excess of 800mg of alcohol per litre of breath (three times over the limit)," says Whakatāne District Council Community Development Advisor Lorreen Hartley. "We’d also like to remind people that ‘drug driving’ also includes medication. The project team is supporting zero tolerance to drink/drug driving and wants to remind the public to make plans to get home safely before drinking!"

Photo: Lena Radford-Coles (with bouquet), pictured with (rear, from left) Josh Kalan - Police Iwi Liaison Officer, Senior Sergeant Ray Wylie, Ray Coles, Des Harawira - Community Action Youth & Drugs Coordinator, Te Tohu o Te Ora o Ngāti Awa; and (front) Olivia Boyd - Probation Officer, Corrections, and Lorreen Hartley.