SAN DIEGO — The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) the San Diego Field Division and law enforcement partners, along with District Three Supervisor Pam Slater-Price announced a program that will allow the public to drop off old or unused prescription medications at established drop boxes throughout the county. The “Take Back” initiative is part of a nationwide event by the DEA. The goal is to prevent an increase in pill abuse and theft. Old and unused prescription medications can be taken to collection sites on Saturday, Sept. 25 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The San Diego drop off location will be at the San Diego Central Jail, 1173 Front St. Rates of prescription drug use are increasing, according to a statement on the DEA Web site. At a former drug collection site, 300 pounds were collected, said John Weil, chief of staff for Slater-Price, at a Sept. 15 Pacific Beach Town Council meeting. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration destroyed the collected drugs, Weil said. — Debbie Hatch