Drug Testing Locations - Sandy Spring, MD

Drug Testing in Sandy Spring, MD

Sandy Spring, Maryland Statistics

In Sandy Spring, Montgomery County, there was a 10% increase in reported drug overdoses from 2020 to 2021.

Montgomery County, which includes Sandy Spring, saw 230 drug-related arrests in 2022.

Opioid prescriptions in Sandy Spring, Montgomery County, decreased by 5% in 2021 compared to 2020.

In 2022, emergency services in Montgomery County reported handling 72 drug overdose calls in the Sandy Spring area.

Sandy Spring, within Montgomery County, had 15 drug rehab admissions per 10,000 residents in 2021.

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 Sandy Spring, MD & Drug Testing Policies

Employers in Sandy Spring, MD, adhere to both state and federal guidelines when implementing drug testing policies. Many workplaces require pre-employment and random drug screenings to ensure a drug-free environment, aligning with standards set by the U.S. Department of Labor.

Local businesses often collaborate with drug testing companies to uphold these standards. For more detailed policies, employers refer to the Maryland Department of Labor, which provides policy frameworks to maintain workplace safety and compliance with health regulations.

Government Efforts with Drug Problems in Sandy Spring, MD

Government efforts in Sandy Spring, MD, primarily through Montgomery County initiatives, focus on reducing drug abuse via educational programs and prevention campaigns. State-level efforts can be accessed via the Maryland Behavioral Health Administration which offers resources for addiction recovery.

Federal initiatives play a supportive role, with organizations like the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration providing grants and guidance to local bodies to address substance abuse issues comprehensively.

Local Drug Busts & News in Sandy Spring, MD

Sandy Spring, MD, has witnessed efforts by law enforcement to curb drug trafficking through well-coordinated drug busts. Recent operations in Montgomery County have successfully dismantled several drug rings, leading to multiple arrests and significant drug seizures, particularly concerning opioids and synthetic drugs.

Community events, like drug awareness workshops, are regularly held in Sandy Spring to educate residents on drug abuse dangers and prevention strategies. Local organizations collaborate with schools and healthcare providers to raise awareness and support recovery efforts for affected individuals.

Occupational Health Services

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

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Resources & Citations

NCADD Maryland

The Maryland Behavioral Health Administration

Montgomery County Substance Abuse Program

SAMHSA National Helpline

Maryland Addiction Recovery Center

Montgomery County o-drug Response Resources

Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center

Crisis Community Center

Freestate Community Recovery Center

Turning Point Clinic

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