Drug Testing Locations - Stonegate, CO

Drug Testing in Stonegate, CO

Stonegate, Colorado Statistics

Stonegate, located in Douglas County, CO, saw a 5% increase in drug-related arrests in the past year.

In Stonegate, Douglas County, 8% of teens reported experimenting with drugs within the past year.

Emergency room visits in Douglas County, including Stonegate, for drug overdose increased by 12% over the last year.

Stonegate's Douglas County schools have reported a 3% rise in drug-related disciplinary actions.

The majority of drug cases in Stonegate, Douglas County, involve prescription medication misuse.

Douglas County, where Stonegate is located, has seen an increase in opioid-related crimes by 15% in the last year.

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 Stonegate, CO & Drug Testing Policies

Employers in Stonegate, CO, take workplace drug use seriously, with many adopting strict drug testing policies. Businesses frequently utilize SAMHSA guidelines to ensure a drug-free environment.

Local companies are encouraged by the Douglas County Chamber of Commerce to implement drug prevention practices and offer addiction treatment resources to employees needing support, aiming to maintain productivity and safety in the workplace.

Many Stonegate employers collaborate with the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment to ensure compliance with state regulations and access training resources for effectively managing substance abuse in the workplace.

Government Efforts with Drug Problems in Stonegate, CO

The government of Stonegate, CO, has implemented various strategies to combat drug problems, focusing on prevention and community education. Douglas County supports initiatives like the Community Safety Program to address drug-related issues at the local level.

The state of Colorado collaborates with Stonegate through programs such as the Department of Criminal Justice and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment to reduce drug abuse and promote public health safety across the state.

Local Drug Busts & News in Stonegate, CO

Recently in Stonegate, CO, law enforcement officials executed a major drug bust, seizing a significant amount of illicit substances. This operation was part of a larger effort coordinated by the Douglas County Sheriff's Office.

Local community events in Stonegate have focused on drug addiction awareness, featuring guest speakers and prevention resources to educate residents. These events are supported by the National Association of County and City Health Officials.

Throughout the past year, Stonegate, CO, has experienced several high-profile drug-related arrests, highlighting the ongoing battle against illegal drug distribution in the community. Local news outlets have covered these events extensively, raising awareness about the severity of the issue.

Occupational Health Services

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

Colorado DOT/Non DOT Physicals

Colorado Vision Tests

Colorado Audiograms

Colorado Respirator Fit Tests

Colorado Lift Tests

Colorado Background Checks

Clinical Testing Services

TB Testing in CO

Diabetes Testing in CO

Infectious Disease Testing in CO

Sickle Cell Anemia Testing in CO

Women/Men's Health Testing in CO

Resources & Citations

SAMHSA National Helpline

Douglas County Substance Abuse Prevention

Colorado Drug Addiction Resources

Colorado Crisis Services

Jefferson County Substance Abuse Prevention

Denver Health Resources

Arapahoe County Substance Abuse Information

Mental Health Center of Denver

National Institute on Drug Abuse

Therapists.com Colorado Substance Abuse Resources

Drug Testing Near Stonegate, CO

Cherry Creek, CO

Castle Pines North, CO

Gateway, CO

Acres Green, CO

Centennial, CO

Lone Tree, CO

Inverness, CO

Heritage Hills, CO

Foxfield, CO

Dove Valley, CO

Meridian, CO

Parker, CO

Cottonwood, CO

Grand View Estates, CO

Frequently Asked Questions

Customer Reviews