One third of auto accident deaths are alcohol related. Be careful and be responsible this holiday season. 

According to the National Institutes of Health, hospitalizations among 18 to 24-year-olds increased between 1999 and 2008 by

• 25 percent for alcohol overdoses
• 56 percent for drug overdoses
• 76 percent for combined alcohol and drug overdoses.
• 122 percent increase for poisonings from opioid pain meds like OxyContin, Percocet, and Vicodin

Signs of alcohol or drug overdose can vary. Some signs to look for include abnormal breathing, drowsiness, sweating, agitation or confusion.

If you suspect that someone has overdosed on drugs and/or alcohol, call 911 immediately. People who have passed out could die, so you shouldn’t wait.

Learn more about first aid for overdoses of drugs and alcohol. You can also find a substance abuse treatment center for yourself or a friend.

There is a national effort to enforce drunk driving laws over this holiday weekend. Get the facts and learn the risks.