Drug Testing Locations - Cherry Hill, MD

Drug Testing in Cherry Hill, MD

Cherry Hill, Maryland Statistics

Cherry Hill, MD, part of Anne Arundel County, reported a 15% increase in opioid-related hospital admissions from 2019 to 2022.

The county of Anne Arundel, which includes Cherry Hill, had a 12% rise in drug overdose fatalities in 2021.

In Cherry Hill, MD, 40% of drug abuse service applicants identified opioids as their primary concern in 2022.

Anne Arundel County has seen a 25% increase in mental health and substance abuse service requests in the past three years.

Cherry Hill's law enforcement reported a 30% increase in drug-related arrests in 2022 compared to 2020.

In 2021, Cherry Hill, MD, saw a 20% growth in the number of people seeking treatment for methamphetamine addiction.

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 Cherry Hill, MD & Drug Testing Policies

Employers in Cherry Hill, MD, are increasingly implementing strict drug testing policies to maintain a safe work environment. Many businesses conduct pre-employment screenings and random tests to deter substance use among employees. This aligns with Anne Arundel County's commitment to discourage drug abuse at all levels.

State laws in Maryland support workplace drug testing, allowing employers to take disciplinary actions against those who fail tests. For detailed regulations, consult the Maryland Department of Labor website.

Several companies in Cherry Hill take proactive steps by offering employee assistance programs (EAPs), providing support for workers dealing with substance abuse issues. These programs often include counseling and referral services, aiming to aid recovery and maintain productivity.

Government Efforts with Drug Problems in Cherry Hill, MD

The local government in Cherry Hill, MD, actively collaborates with state and federal agencies to combat the drug problem. Initiatives include awareness campaigns and increased funding for rehabilitation centers. The Anne Arundel County Health Department is a key player in these efforts. For more information, visit Anne Arundel County Health Department.

Additionally, Cherry Hill benefits from federal support through grants aimed at reducing substance abuse. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) periodically organizes community outreach programs to educate the public about the dangers of drug abuse. Learn more at the DEA's official website.

Local Drug Busts & News in Cherry Hill, MD

Recent law enforcement operations in Cherry Hill, MD, have led to significant drug busts, signaling proactive measures against illegal substances. A major operation in early 2023 resulted in the seizure of large quantities of methamphetamine. Local police continue to enhance surveillance and intelligence-sharing efforts.

Community events such as 'Drug Take-Back Days' are frequently organized in Cherry Hill, MD, providing residents a safe way to dispose of unused medications. These events aim to prevent prescription drug misuse and raise awareness about substance abuse.

Anne Arundel County engages the community through forums and town hall meetings, creating dialogues between residents, law enforcement, and health officials to discuss ongoing drug-related issues and collaborative solutions.

Occupational Health Services

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Resources & Citations

Recovery Anne Arundel

Maryland Addiction Recovery Center

Anne Arundel Mental Health Agency

Treatment Centers Directory

Abundant Life Healthcare

SAMHSA National Helpline

Taylor Technical Services

Anne Arundel Recovers

Rural Health Information Hub

Department of Addiction Services

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