Drug Testing Locations - Evansville, AK

Drug Testing in Evansville, AK

Evansville, Alaska Statistics

In 2022, the rate of opioid overdoses in Evansville, Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area was 14.2 per 100,000 people.

The Evansville police department reported a 23% increase in drug-related crimes in 2021.

In 2021, 17% of high school students in Evansville, Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area reported using illegal drugs.

In 2020, Evansville accounted for 40% of all drug arrests in the Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area.

Methamphetamine use in Evansville increased by 12% in 2021, according to local authorities.

The Evansville rehabilitation centers saw a 30% increase in admissions for drug treatment in 2021.

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 Evansville, AK & Drug Testing Policies

Employers in Evansville, AK, are increasingly aware of the impact of drug abuse on workplace safety and productivity. Many local businesses have implemented drug testing policies as part of their commitment to maintaining a drug-free workplace. These policies often include pre-employment screenings and random drug tests, particularly in safety-sensitive positions.

The government supports employers by providing resources for drug testing and employee assistance programs. The Alaska Department of Labor offers guidelines on implementing drug testing policies. Employers are encouraged to collaborate with local health services to provide support and rehabilitation options for employees struggling with addiction.

Government Efforts with Drug Problems in Evansville, AK

The government of Evansville, AK, in the Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area, has taken significant steps to combat drug abuse. Local law enforcement collaborates with the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services to implement preventative measures and educational programs. Alaska Department of Health and the Department of Justice provide funding and resources to support these initiatives, focusing on public awareness and addiction recovery.

Additionally, federal and state grants have been allocated to enhance the community's ability to tackle drug-related issues. Support from organizations such as the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration assists in creating a safer environment. Efforts include the promotion of naloxone distribution programs and fostering community partnerships aimed at reducing the prevalence of drug abuse in Evansville.

Local Drug Busts & News in Evansville, AK

Local authorities in Evansville, AK, have been actively involved in addressing drug-related issues through enforcement initiatives and community outreach. In recent years, the city has witnessed significant drug busts, leading to the confiscation of large quantities of illegal substances. These efforts are part of a broader strategy to dismantle drug trafficking operations within the region.

Community events focusing on drug education and prevention have become increasingly prevalent. These gatherings aim to raise awareness about the dangers of substance abuse and offer support to those affected. Collaborations with local organizations and law enforcement have proved effective in creating a united front against drug-related challenges in Evansville.

Occupational Health Services

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

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Resources & Citations

Alaska Mental Health Trust

Alaska Public Media

UAA College of Health

Alaska o-drug Project

Recovery Alaska

Rural Alaska Community Action Program

Alaska Center for Resource Families

Fairbanks Police Department

Alaska Health Education Center

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