Drug Testing Locations - Southeastern El Paso, CO

Drug Testing in Southeastern El Paso, CO

Southeastern El Paso, Colorado Statistics

In Southeastern El Paso County, CO, around 9.2% of residents reported nonmedical use of prescription drugs in the past year.

Methamphetamine-related arrests in Southeastern El Paso County have increased by 18% over the past year.

Overdose deaths increased by 15% in Southeastern El Paso County, CO from 2019 to 2020.

Heroin use accounted for approximately 22% of drug treatment admissions in Southeastern El Paso County in 2021.

Southeastern El Paso County reported 1.7 opioid prescriptions per person in 2020.

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 Southeastern El Paso, CO & Drug Testing Policies

In Southeastern El Paso County, CO, many employers are adopting strict drug testing policies to ensure a safe workplace. Most companies require pre-employment testing and follow-up tests in line with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration guidelines.

Businesses have also started educational sessions and rehabilitation assistance for employees to address substance use issues. El Paso County's approach reflects broader state initiatives, aligned with resources from the Colorado Department of Personnel & Administration.

Employers partner with local agencies to provide resources for both preventive and corrective measures against drug use in the workplace, ultimately aiming for a community-wide reduction in drug abuse rates.

Government Efforts with Drug Problems in Southeastern El Paso, CO

The government has initiated various strategies to combat drug problems in Southeastern El Paso County, CO. Key efforts include increased funding for local treatment programs, along with partnerships with agencies such as SAMHSA and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.

The county has also implemented educational programs to raise awareness about substance abuse. El Paso County has created task forces in collaboration with law enforcement to tackle drug trafficking and sponsors workshops with agencies, including the DEA.

Local Drug Busts & News in Southeastern El Paso, CO

In Southeastern El Paso, CO, recent collaborative efforts between local law enforcement and community stakeholders have led to significant drug busts, marking a pivotal step towards heightened public safety. The operations targeted distribution networks that infiltrated various neighborhoods, ultimately resulting in the confiscation of substantial quantities of illegal substances, including methamphetamines and heroin. These actions have sparked increased community awareness and involvement.

Local police have emphasized the critical role of community tips and heightened vigilance in the recent surge of drug-related arrests in Southeastern El Paso. Educational programs focused on recognizing signs of illegal drug activity have empowered residents to become proactive. These initiatives not only aim at reducing drug-related incidents but also at rebuilding trust between community members and law enforcement agencies.

In an unprecedented move to combat drug-related activities, Southeastern El Paso authorities are enhancing collaborations with nearby counties to address cross-border drug trafficking. This joint approach focuses on intelligence sharing and pooling resources, targeting the root causes behind the burgeoning drug trade. The cooperative efforts have demonstrated significant promise in deterring organized criminal activities and fostering regional cooperation.

The surge in drug-related events in Southeastern El Paso has highlighted the necessity for comprehensive prevention and rehabilitation programs. Officials have prioritized funding towards outreach programs that aim to educate youth and at-risk communities about the dangers of drug use. By providing alternative pathways and support systems, the region is making concerted efforts to break the cycle of addiction and reduce future drug-related offenses.

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

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