Drug Testing Locations - Van, AR

Drug Testing in Van, AR

Van, Arkansas Statistics

In the past year, 15% of residents in Van, AR, located in Van Buren County, have reported illicit drug use.

In Van Buren County, which encompasses Van, AR, 8% of high school students have tried drugs in the past month.

Van, AR, saw a 12% increase in opioid-related hospitals visits from 2021 to 2022.

Methamphetamine is the most commonly abused drug in Van Buren County, accounting for 35% of drug arrests.

Drug-related offenses in Van, AR, constitute 29% of total criminal arrests in the city.

Alcohol abuse exceeds the national average in Van Buren County, with 18% of cases linked to underage drinking.

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 Van, AR & Drug Testing Policies

Employers in Van, AR, have increasingly adopted stringent drug testing policies to ensure a safe and productive workplace. Businesses in the region typically require pre-employment drug screening, as well as random tests during employment for certain positions. These measures help maintain a drug-free environment, protecting both employees and customers.

Policies often align with federal standards, with some employers opting for more comprehensive panels that include tests for opioids, marijuana, and other illicit substances. For guidance on creating a drug-free workplace policy, the U.S. Department of Labor offers valuable resources and templates that can be tailored to specific industry needs.

Government Efforts with Drug Problems in Van, AR

The government of Van, AR, in Van Buren County, has implemented several measures to tackle drug issues. The Van Buren County Department of Health provides educational programs aimed at preventing drug abuse and offering support to affected individuals. For more detailed information, please visit the Arkansas Department of Health.

In collaboration with state and federal agencies, Van, AR, holds community forums and workshops to raise awareness about the dangers of drug abuse. Efforts are also made to enhance law enforcement capabilities to effectively combat drug trafficking and usage. Further resources are available at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

Local Drug Busts & News in Van, AR

Recent efforts by law enforcement in Van, AR, have led to significant drug busts, aimed at curbing the spread of illicit substances. These operations have focused primarily on methamphetamine distribution networks, resulting in several high-profile arrests and the seizure of substantial quantities of drugs.

Community events, such as drug takeback days, have also been organized to safely dispose of unused or expired medications, preventing potential misuse. These initiatives are part of a broader strategy to reduce drug-related crime and improve public safety in Van Buren County.

Occupational Health Services

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

Arkansas DOT/Non DOT Physicals

Arkansas Vision Tests

Arkansas Audiograms

Arkansas Respirator Fit Tests

Arkansas Lift Tests

Arkansas Background Checks

Clinical Testing Services

TB Testing in AR

Diabetes Testing in AR

Infectious Disease Testing in AR

Sickle Cell Anemia Testing in AR

Women/Men's Health Testing in AR

Resources & Citations

Recovery NWA

Wolf River Sober Living

Metro Gap

CDC Drug Overdose

Nar-Anon Family Groups Arkansas

Alcoholics Anonymous

Narcotics Anonymous

Arkansas Network

National Association for Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors

Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality

Drug Testing Near Van, AR

Stuttgart, AR

Ulm, AR

Postelle, AR

Cypert, AR

Holly Grove, AR

Lundell, AR

Bayou Meto, AR

Gillett, AR

Lambrook, AR

Casscoe, AR

Tichnor, AR

Almyra, AR

Crocketts Bluff, AR

De Witt, AR

Saint Charles, AR

Frequently Asked Questions

Customer Reviews