An alcohol watchdog group believes early intervention would reduce the number of repeat drink-drivers in the courts.
Alcohol Healthwatch is making the call after Tauranga mother Raquel Kiwi was sentenced to 16-months jail following her 11th conviction for drink driving. Kiwi admitted in December to having excess blood alcohol and the 27-year-old was also caught driving while disqualified for a fifth time.
Judge Louis Bidois said Kiwi should have learned her lesson, but hasn't. Police prosecutor David Pawson says Kiwi is regarded as one of New Zealand's worst repeat offenders. She was convicted in 2004 of causing the death of her nine month old son.
Alcohol Healthwatch director Rebecca Williams says alcohol abuse should be flagged at a person's first appearance in court and rehabilitation and help with drinking problems should be a more automatic part of the system.
Williams says when someone has been caught driving drunk it is probably not the first time they have done it.