Drug Testing Locations - Southside, AL

Drug Testing in Southside, AL

Southside, Alabama Statistics

In Southside, AL, Etowah County, there were over 150 drug-related arrests reported in 2022.

Etowah County recorded a 20% increase in opioid overdose deaths in 2021.

Methamphetamine was the primary drug in 40% of arrests in Etowah County in 2022.

Etowah County health departments noted a rise in heroin use by 15% between 2021 and 2022.

Southside, AL, witnessed a 10% increase in fentanyl seizures in 2022, per local law enforcement.

In 2022, Etowah County reported over 200 drug addiction treatment admissions from Southside, AL.

How does the body eliminate Drugs

Drug elimination is the sum of the processes of removing an administered drug from the body. In the pharmacokinetic ADME scheme (absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion), it is frequently considered to encompass both metabolism and excretion. Hydrophobic drugs, to be excreted, must undergo metabolic modification making them more polar. Hydrophilic drugs, on the other hand, can undergo excretion directly, without the need for metabolic changes to their molecular structures.

Although many sites of metabolism and excretion exist, the chief organ of metabolism is the liver, while the organ primarily tasked with excretion is the kidney. Any significant dysfunction in either organ can result in the accumulation of the drug or its metabolites in toxic concentrations.

A variety of other factors impact elimination — intrinsic drug properties, such as polarity, size, or pKa. Also other factors include genetic variation among individuals, disease states affecting other organs, and pathways involved in the way the drug distributes through the body, such as first-pass metabolism.

Issues of Concern

Drug elimination is the removal of an administered drug from the body. It is accomplished in two ways, either by excretion of an unmetabolized drug in its intact form or by metabolic biotransformation followed by excretion. While excretion is primarily carried out by the kidneys, other organ systems are involved as well. Similarly, the liver is the primary site of biotransformation, yet extrahepatic metabolism takes place in a variety of organ systems affecting multiple drugs.

Given the multiple organ systems and the variety of metabolic transformations present, drug elimination can entail a significant degree of complexity. Hydrophilic drugs are typically directly excreted by the kidneys, while hydrophobic drugs undergo biotransformation before excretion. The purpose here is twofold – biotransformation serves both detoxify the exogenous substances as well as to increase their hydrophilicity, ensuring their elimination via the kidneys.

Two broad metabolic pathways of hepatic drug transformation exist. Phase I is the direct modification of the target molecule, whereas phase II entails conjugation of the target to a polar molecule of low molecular weight. Phase I prepare the drug to enter phase II, but single-phase metabolism also exists.

Phase I involves oxidation, reduction, and hydrolysis of the exogenous molecule. These reactions are accomplished by hepatic microsomal enzymes, which reside in the smooth endoplasmic reticulum of the hepatocytes. Best known among them is the cytochrome P450 system, whose enzymes are predominantly involved in oxidative metabolism. Within the cytochrome P450 family (CYP), the enzyme responsible for the metabolism of more than 50% of existing drugs is the CYP3A4. Its activity encompasses various classes of medications, including opioids, immunosuppressants, antihistamines, and benzodiazepines. The enzymes can also be induced or inhibited by a variety of substances they interact with, including pharmaceuticals. The increase in metabolic activity with CYP induction results in a diminished activity of drugs targeted by that particular isoform. Conversely, CYP inhibition will result in increased drug plasma concentration, potentially leading toxicity. The CYP3A4 is induced by phenytoin, phenobarbital, and St. John's wort, while diltiazem, erythromycin, and grapefruit inhibit it. Caution is, therefore, necessary when administering CYP3A4-metabolized drugs in the presence of any of the inhibitors or inducers.

Phase II consists of covalent bonding of polar groups to nonpolar molecules to render them water-soluble and allow renal or biliary excretion. Target molecules enter phase II directly or via initial processing through phase I. A variety of polar adjuncts is transferred, including amino acids, glucuronic acid, glutathione, acetate, and sulfate. Glucuronidation is one of the major pathways of phase II biotransformation. The UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) enzyme family performs this activity. Typically, glucuronide derivatives possess less or no activity of the original drug, but in some cases, pharmacologically active compounds result. Morphine-6-glucuronide is a phase II metabolite of morphine with significant analgesic activity. As with the CYP enzymes, inducers, and inhibitors of phase II, enzymes exist and may influence the efficacy of drugs that rely on conjugation before excretion.

The first-pass effect is a feature of hepatic metabolism that also plays a role in the elimination of multiple drugs. Here, the enteric consumed drugs are exposed directly to the liver via the portal vein, where they undergo biotransformation before entering the systemic circulation. This activity reduces the bioavailability and needs to be factored into the dose administered to the patient. Intravenously administered drugs are not subject to the first-pass effect.

Extrahepatic drug metabolism takes place in the GI tract, kidneys, lungs, plasma, and skin.

Renal excretion completes the process of elimination that begins in the liver. Polar drugs or their metabolites get filtered in the kidneys and typically do not undergo reabsorption. They subsequently get excreted in the urine. Urinary pH has a significant impact on excretion, as drug ionization changes depending on the alkaline or acidic environment. Increased excretion occurs with weakly acidic drugs in basic urine and weakly basic drugs in acidic urine.

Excretion in the bile is another significant form of drug elimination. The liver can actively secrete ionized drugs with a molecular weight greater than 300 g/mol into bile, from where they reach the digestive tract and are either eliminated in feces or reabsorbed as part of the enterohepatic cycle.

Other pathways of excretion include the lungs, breast milk, sweat, saliva, and tears

Employers in Southside, AL & Drug Testing Policies

In Southside, employers are increasingly adopting strict drug testing policies to maintain a safe workplace. Companies partner with services like the Drug-Free Business program to implement comprehensive drug screening.

Etowah County government offices require mandatory drug tests for new hires and random tests for employees in sensitive positions. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations also encourage companies to incorporate drug-free workplace programs.

Government Efforts with Drug Problems in Southside, AL

The government of Southside, AL, in Etowah County, has been active in combating drug abuse through multiple initiatives, including increased funding for treatment centers. The local government collaborates with SAMHSA to secure grants for these efforts.

Law enforcement agencies in Southside, working with the DEA, have increased patrols and set up drug take-back programs. These initiatives aim to reduce the availability of drugs and provide safe disposal options for the public.

Local Drug Busts & News in Southside, AL

In recent months, Southside, AL, has experienced a series of significant drug busts aimed at curbing the spread of illegal narcotics. Local law enforcement, in collaboration with regional task forces, successfully executed a sting operation leading to the arrest of multiple individuals involved in the distribution of methamphetamines. This operation also uncovered a network of suppliers and distributors operating within the county.

In addition to methamphetamine issues, authorities reported an uptick in opioid-related incidents, prompting increased surveillance and community outreach efforts. Police have held public information sessions to inform residents about the dangers of opioid misuse and signs to look for, in an effort to reduce the incidence of overdoses and related crimes.

Another key event was the dismantling of a clandestine lab that was producing synthetic drugs. This operation required coordinated efforts between local and federal agencies. The discovery of this lab highlighted the evolving nature of drug production methods and emphasized the need for ongoing training and resource allocation for law enforcement in Southside to effectively combat these sophisticated drug-related challenges.

Occupational Health Services

Accredited Drug Testing offers fast, reliable employment screening services in Southside, AL. Trusted by employers nationwide for accurate results and exceptional service.

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Resources & Citations

Alabama Department of Mental Health

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)

The Bridge, Inc.

Alabama Department of Public Health

Behavioral Health Association of Providers

Narcotics Anonymous

FindTreatment.gov

Al-Anon

Stop Addiction

CDC Drug Overdose

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