Drug Testing Locations - South Tucson, AZ

Drug Testing in South Tucson, AZ

South Tucson, Arizona Statistics

South Tucson, located in Pima County, has a drug overdose death rate that is higher than the national average.

Pima County reported a 15% increase in opioid-related emergencies in South Tucson in the last year.

Methamphetamine-related incidents in South Tucson accounted for 20% of drug cases in Pima County in 2022.

In 2022, South Tucson saw a 10% rise in arrests linked to heroin possession.

Pima County public health officials noted a significant rise in fentanyl-related cases in South Tucson.

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 South Tucson, AZ & Drug Testing Policies

Many employers in South Tucson, both large and small, have adopted strict drug testing policies to maintain a safe and productive work environment. These policies frequently include pre-employment screenings and random testing, aiming to deter drug use among employees.

Local industries are also collaborating with the Arizona Department of Economic Security to ensure compliance with state regulations. Additional resources and guidelines on employee drug testing can be found on the Arizona DES website.

The emphasis on drug-free workplaces is part of broader efforts to curb drug-related issues within the community, promoting healthier lifestyles and encouraging rehabilitation programs when necessary.

Government Efforts with Drug Problems in South Tucson, AZ

The government of South Tucson, in collaboration with Pima County and state authorities, has been actively working to combat the drug crisis. One significant initiative is the Pima County Drug Court, which offers treatment programs as alternatives to incarceration for eligible individuals. More information can be found on their official site.

Furthermore, there are ongoing educational campaigns aimed at raising awareness about the dangers of drug abuse. These efforts are supported by state agencies such as the Arizona Department of Health Services, which offers numerous resources on their website to address the substance abuse issues in the region.

Local Drug Busts & News in South Tucson, AZ

Over the past year, there have been several notable drug busts in South Tucson, highlighting the ongoing battle against illegal drug activities. The Pima County Sheriff's Department has led several successful operations targeting drug trafficking rings in the area.

One significant operation revealed a substantial heroin distribution network, leading to multiple arrests and the confiscation of large quantities of illegal substances. Reports from these operations can be accessed through the Pima County Sheriff's news page.

Regular community meetings and public safety announcements have been initiated to keep residents informed and involved in addressing the local drug issues.

Occupational Health Services

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

Arizona DOT/Non DOT Physicals

Arizona Vision Tests

Arizona Audiograms

Arizona Respirator Fit Tests

Arizona Lift Tests

Arizona Background Checks

Clinical Testing Services

TB Testing in AZ

Diabetes Testing in AZ

Infectious Disease Testing in AZ

Sickle Cell Anemia Testing in AZ

Women/Men's Health Testing in AZ

Resources & Citations

Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System

Arizona Recovery Resource Center

Partnership to End Addiction

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

Psychology Today's Arizona Addiction Treatment

Pima County Health Department - Behavioral Health

NAMI Pima County

Alcoholics Anonymous - Arizona

Drug Testing Near South Tucson, AZ

Summit, AZ

Casas Adobes, AZ

Tucson Estates, AZ

Catalina, AZ

Catalina Foothills, AZ

Littletown, AZ

Flowing Wells, AZ

Drexel Heights, AZ

Drexel-Alvernon, AZ

Pima, AZ

Tucson, AZ

Frequently Asked Questions

Customer Reviews