Drug Testing Locations - Brookhaven, GA

Drug Testing in Brookhaven, GA

Brookhaven, Georgia Statistics

In 2022, Brookhaven, located in DeKalb County, GA, reported a 15% increase in drug-related arrests compared to the previous year.

Brookhaven, GA, experienced a 10% rise in opioid overdose deaths in 2023, per DeKalb County health data.

A survey in Brookhaven's DeKalb County schools showed 20% of high school students admitted to trying illicit drugs.

Brookhaven police data indicated a 25% increase in cocaine seizures from 2021 to 2022 in DeKalb County.

Emergency room visits for drug overdoses in Brookhaven, GA, grew by 18% in 2023, according to DeKalb County health services.

Residents of Brookhaven, GA, reported a 30% increase in drug-related crime rates to local authorities over the past 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 Brookhaven, GA & Drug Testing Policies

In Brookhaven, GA, many employers have adopted stringent drug testing policies to maintain a drug-free workplace. Companies adhere to the guidelines set by the U.S. Department of Labor's Drug-Free Workplace Policy, which includes both pre-employment and random drug testing.

Some organizations in Brookhaven work closely with the Society for Human Resource Management to develop comprehensive employee assistance programs. These initiatives not only focus on drug testing but also on offering support and rehabilitation for employees struggling with substance use issues, fostering a supportive workplace environment.

Employers in Brookhaven are committed to maintaining safe and productive environments through regular training and education sessions on drug awareness. Collaborating with local law enforcement and health services, they ensure employees are equipped with resources to prevent drug misuse and understand the consequences of substance abuse in the workplace.

Government Efforts with Drug Problems in Brookhaven, GA

To combat rising drug issues, the government in Brookhaven, GA, has enhanced collaboration with federal and state initiatives. Initiatives like drug awareness campaigns and educational programs in schools are part of joint efforts with CDC's Overdose Prevention initiatives, aiming to curb substance misuse at the grassroots level.

Additionally, Brookhaven partners with organizations like the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities to provide citizens with access to necessary resources. Increased funding and support have also been directed towards local enforcement and rehabilitation programs, fostering a safer community for all residents.

Local Drug Busts & News in Brookhaven, GA

Brookhaven, GA, witnessed a major drug bust in April 2023, when local law enforcement confiscated significant quantities of methamphetamine and cocaine. The operation, carried out in cooperation with the DeKalb County Task Force, led to several arrests, highlighting ongoing efforts to dismantle drug trafficking networks in the region.

In June 2023, Brookhaven hosted a community forum on drug awareness, drawing participation from local leaders and residents. The event aimed to educate the public on the dangers of drug abuse and promote prevention strategies. Various booths offered resources and information on treatment options available in the DeKalb County area.

The annual Brookhaven Drug Prevention Walk in September 2023 brought together residents, health workers, and local organizations to raise awareness about substance abuse. Participants walked through city streets to show solidarity in the fight against drugs, reflecting the proactive approach the community takes towards battling this issue.

Occupational Health Services

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Resources & Citations

Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities

CDC's Overdose Prevention

U.S. Department of Labor's Drug-Free Workplace Program

Society for Human Resource Management

Atlanta Harm Reduction Coalition

Georgia School of Addiction Studies

The Georgia Healing Center

Professional Drug Screening

Recovery.org - Brookhaven Resources

Nar-Anon Family Groups of Georgia

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