(Salt Lake City, UT) – Utah Governor Gary R. Herbert and Francine A. Giani, Executive Director of the Utah Department of Commerce, announced today that a new public service announcement has been unveiled to highlight and promote this weeks’ statewide “Prescription Drug Take Back Day” Saturday September 29, 2012. The 30 second tv spot is running on all local Utah television stations as well as cable television to alert the public about this important event to protect public health. Drug abuse poses a high risk to public health in Utah where more deaths are caused by prescription drug abuse than by automobile accidents.

“By safely disposing your expired prescription drugs this Saturday, you and your family can help fight drug abuse in Utah,” stated Governor Gary R. Herbert.

Utah citizens can find a drug disposal site near them by logging onto www.useonlyasdirected.org and entering their zip code or location to find a convenient event location. Locations can also be found by calling toll-free 1-800-456-7707. Statewide disposal sites will accept drugs between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. Saturday, September 29, 2012. Law enforcement personnel and prevention specialists will also be on hand to answer questions and concerns.

“Please be part of solving this deadly problem in Utah by cleaning out your medicine cabinet and safely disposing drugs that could cause someone else undue harm or offer criminals opportunity,” advised Francine A. Giani.

The 5th annual National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Justice Drug Enforcement Administration and locally by the Utah Pharmaceutical Drug Crime Project and local law enforcement agencies.