Drug Testing Locations - Greater Newark, DE

Drug Testing in Greater Newark, DE

Greater Newark, Delaware Statistics

Newark, located in New Castle County, has seen a 17% increase in drug-related overdoses between 2020 and 2022.

In 2022, New Castle County reported over 800 drug-related arrests, with a significant number occurring in Greater Newark.

Greater Newark has experienced a 24% rise in EMS calls related to substance misuse over the past three years.

New Castle County authorities noted that fentanyl was involved in over 60% of overdose fatalities in 2022.

Narcan administration in Newark increased by 21% from 2020 to 2022, highlighting growing opioid-related emergencies.

The rate of drug-related crimes per capita in Greater Newark was reported at 3.5 incidents per 1,000 people in 2022.

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 Greater Newark, DE & Drug Testing Policies

Employers in Greater Newark are becoming increasingly vigilant with their drug testing policies. Many implement pre-employment and random drug screenings to foster a safe workplace, guided by standards from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

Some companies have partnered with local health providers to offer employee assistance programs for substance abuse. These initiatives aim to provide support and rehabilitation options and maintain productivity and safety in the workforce.

Government Efforts with Drug Problems in Greater Newark, DE

The government of Newark, with New Castle County, has intensified drug prevention and education initiatives, aiming to reduce substance abuse. Programs are supported by the Delaware Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health, which provides resources and support for affected individuals.

Additionally, coordination between local law enforcement and state agencies such as the Drug Enforcement Administration aims to combat drug trafficking and distribution. These joint efforts focus on community safety and reducing the impact of drugs in Newark.

Local Drug Busts & News in Greater Newark, DE

In recent months, Greater Newark, DE has witnessed a series of significant drug busts that have highlighted ongoing efforts by law enforcement to curb illegal drug activities. Operations target both distribution rings and street-level transactions, focusing on trafficking networks that contribute heavily to the local opioid crisis. These operations have had a substantial impact on reducing the availability of illicit drugs in the area.

One of the prominent cases involved a large-scale investigation that led to multiple arrests and the seizure of substantial amounts of heroin and cocaine. This operation, a collaborative effort between local police and federal agencies, underscores the complexity and reach of the narcotics trade in the region. It has been instrumental in dismantling a network that was supplying drugs across multiple states.

As a result of ongoing investigations, authorities have discovered that many of these drug operations are linked to other crimes, including money laundering and violent offenses. Efforts continue to address these connections, with law enforcement focusing on dismantling not just the supply chain but also weakening the financial and operational structures that sustain these illegal activities.

Occupational Health Services

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

Delaware DOT/Non DOT Physicals

Delaware Vision Tests

Delaware Audiograms

Delaware Respirator Fit Tests

Delaware Lift Tests

Delaware Background Checks

Clinical Testing Services

TB Testing in DE

Diabetes Testing in DE

Infectious Disease Testing in DE

Sickle Cell Anemia Testing in DE

Women/Men's Health Testing in DE

Resources & Citations

Help is Here DE

Lower Delaware Addiction Resource

Dover Behavioral Health System

Brandywine Counseling

Sun Behavioral Delaware

Sussex County Health Coalition

AIDS Delaware

Connections Community Support Programs

Drug Testing Near Greater Newark, DE

North Star, DE

Marshallton, DE

Central Pencader, DE

Bear, DE

Pike Creek-Central Kirkwood, DE

Pike Creek Valley, DE

Christiana, DE

Pike Creek, DE

Upper Christiana, DE

Milford Crossroads, DE

Ogletown, DE

Roseville Park, DE

Brookside, DE

New Castle, DE

Frequently Asked Questions

Customer Reviews