Sister snubs drink to ease family pain

Ayla Jack (right) has given up alcohol in memory of her brother, Israel. Photo/Supplied

Her brother Israel Jack was found dead on Te Ngae Rd last August, now Ayla Jack has given up alcohol for Febfast to rebel against one of the contributors to his death.

The 25-year-old says she hopes to raise $500 for the New Zealand Drug Foundation and turn "a negative to a positive".

Her brother should have been planning to celebrate his 21st birthday on February 16, but after a night out with friends on August 18 he was found dead on Te Ngae Rd. Rotorua detectives are still investigating.

"I'm rebelling against something that got him to where he is now," Miss Jack said.

"Before he died Izzy spoke to my mum about what he wanted to do [for his 21st]. It was to party with his friends. On Facebook the other day a friend wrote a status about something to do with birthdays and said 'what's there to do other than drinking'. I was surprised as how narrow-minded people can be with parties and birthdays. You don't have to get wasted. Go for a skydive, tick something off your bucket list."

On her Febfast page Miss Jack admits to liking a drink "or two or three or four, and more and more and more. But why?"

She told the Rotorua Daily Post that she usually drank RTDs.

"It was whatever was cheap and would get you drunk. I've children and I'd like them to learn how to drink more appropriately.

"During this month I'd like to learn how to make mocktails. I want to be able to spend time with people and have fun. I'm not saying there's anything wrong with people who drink. For me at the moment alcohol is something that's brought a bit of pain to me and my family."

She said staying safe around alcohol was one of the driving forces to her family changing their plans for Izzy's birthday. Instead of having a big get-together where his friends could drink, they will visit the urupa where he is buried.

"We were going to provide a place where people could drink but both of my parents wanted his friends to be able to get home safely. We'll now visit the urupa, release some balloons and share some memories."

To support Miss Jack's Febfast campaign visit http://tinyurl.com/febfast-aylajack.