Oklahoma 11th in alcohol poisoning deaths

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) – A new federal report says that Oklahoma is ranked 11th in the nation in alcohol poisoning deaths from 2010 through 2012.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention released its latest analysis Tuesday. Its report shows that Oklahoma saw an average of 37 residents die from alcohol poisoning per year.

Health officials say that may seem like a small number, but they say the data highlight a much larger problem Oklahoma faces in addressing alcohol abuse.

The state’s mental health and substance abuse commissioner says the report doesn’t take into account people who died from liver cirrhosis because of ongoing drinking or any other alcohol-related deaths. He says the report is the "tip of the iceberg."

According to the CDC, more than 2,200 people die from alcohol poisoning each year.