Drug Testing Locations - Deer Valley, AZ

Drug Testing in Deer Valley, AZ

Deer Valley, Arizona Statistics

Deer Valley, located in Maricopa County, saw a 15% increase in opioid-related overdoses in 2022.

In 2021, Maricopa County reported that 25% of drug arrests in Deer Valley were for methamphetamine possession.

Deer Valley, AZ, experienced a 10% rise in emergency room visits related to drug abuse in 2022.

In 2022, over 30% of drug-related crimes in Deer Valley, Maricopa County, involved heroin.

Maricopa County Health Department noted a 5% increase in underage drug use in Deer Valley in 2022.

Arizona Department of Health Services reported that in 2021, one in five high school students in Deer Valley used illicit drugs.

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 Deer Valley, AZ & Drug Testing Policies

Employers in Deer Valley, AZ, are increasingly adopting strict drug testing policies to ensure a safe and productive workplace. Many businesses collaborate with the Arizona Commerce Authority to develop comprehensive drug-free workplace programs, including random drug screenings and employee assistance programs.

The state of Arizona encourages employers to participate in the Arizona Drug-Free Workplace Program, which provides guidelines on implementing effective drug testing policies. These initiatives aim to reduce drug abuse impacts in the workplace and promote overall community health.

Government Efforts with Drug Problems in Deer Valley, AZ

The government of Deer Valley, AZ, is actively working to combat drug issues through various initiatives. The Maricopa County Department of Public Health offers community education and support programs to raise awareness about the dangers of drug abuse. Furthermore, the Arizona Department of Health Services collaborates with local agencies to provide treatment and recovery resources.

Local law enforcement agencies in Maricopa County have also ramped up efforts to intercept illicit drugs before they reach the community. The partnership between the City of Deer Valley and federal agencies, such as the DEA, aids in targeting drug trafficking and dismantling distribution networks.

Local Drug Busts & News in Deer Valley, AZ

Recent drug busts in Deer Valley, AZ, highlight the ongoing battle against substance abuse in the community. In 2022, local law enforcement agencies, in cooperation with the DEA, conducted a major operation that resulted in the seizure of significant quantities of heroin and methamphetamine.

Public events such as annual drug take-back days, organized by the City of Deer Valley, provide residents with a safe way to dispose of unused medications, preventing potential misuse. These initiatives are part of the community's broader strategy to curb drug abuse and enhance public safety.

Occupational Health Services

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

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Resources & Citations

Arizona Department of Health Services

Maricopa County Department of Public Health

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Pathway Program

Mothers Against Drunk Driving Arizona

Terros Health

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