Kansas State University intern Wayne Larson is working to promote safer disposal of medications this summer by visiting retail pharmacies, medical clinics and public venues in Douglas County.

Larson will be distributing posters detailing appropriate disposal techniques. He said the preferred option was to take medication to the city of Lawrence/Douglas County Household Hazardous Waste Facility in east Lawrence. The service is free but the facility cannot accept controlled or narcotic substances, such as prescription painkillers. Residents must call 832-3030 to schedule a drop-off appointment.

If residents cannot get to the drop-off site, Larson said they should crush or dissolve solid medications in water or coffee and then put the resulting paste into a substance like coffee grounds or kitty litter, then put the mixture in a closed container and throw it away.

A similar program in Sedgwick County had a 96 percent implementation rate among the more than 200 facilities that were visited.