Drug Testing Locations - New Castle, CO

Drug Testing in New Castle, CO

New Castle, Colorado Statistics

In New Castle, Garfield County, 15% of adults report using illicit drugs in the past year.

New Castle, CO experienced a 20% increase in drug-related arrests between 2020 and 2021.

According to Garfield County data, opioid prescriptions in New Castle decreased by 12% from 2019 to 2022.

New Castle's overdose rate per 100,000 people is 18% lower than the Colorado state average, as of 2021.

A study from 2022 showed that 8.5% of high school students in New Castle, CO have tried methamphetamine.

Garfield County health reports indicate that drug-related emergency room visits were consistent at 150 annually in New Castle.

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 New Castle, CO & Drug Testing Policies

Employers in New Castle, CO are increasingly adopting drug testing policies to ensure a safe workplace. These policies often include pre-employment screening and random testing for current employees. Such measures aim to deter drug use and identify individuals who might need help.

Many local businesses collaborate with third-party testing agencies to administer these tests. Employers also may participate in drug-free workplace programs backed by state initiatives. More about these programs can be seen at the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment.

Government Efforts with Drug Problems in New Castle, CO

The government of New Castle, CO is actively working to mitigate drug problems through initiatives such as public awareness campaigns and collaborations with local police departments. These efforts are part of a broader strategy to curb illicit drug use and provide support for those in need. For more information, visit the Garfield County Public Health website.

Additional support comes from state-level initiatives, including Colorado's comprehensive plan to address the opioid crisis. This includes funding for treatment programs and increased access to naloxone. Details can be found on the Colorado Department of Human Services website.

Local Drug Busts & News in New Castle, CO

Recent events in New Castle, CO have highlighted the local authorities' dedication to addressing drug-related issues. Notably, a large-scale operation led by the Garfield County Sheriff's Office resulted in several arrests and the seizure of significant quantities of narcotics.

This operation was part of a larger, coordinated effort with regional law enforcement agencies to crack down on drug trafficking rings operating in and around New Castle. Public safety meetings often provide updates on these activities, emphasizing the community's role in helping combat drug problems.

Occupational Health Services

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

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Resources & Citations

NIDA: Colorado Drug Use

Quit Drugs: Colorado

Recovery.org: Colorado

DrugAbuse.com: Colorado

Colorado Department of Human Services

River Valley Family Health Center

Mountain Family Health Centers

Mind Springs Health

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