Drug Testing Locations - North Abington, MA

Drug Testing in North Abington, MA

North Abington, Massachusetts Statistics

In Plymouth County, North Abington reported a 15% increase in opioid-related overdose deaths from 2019 to 2022.

The city saw a 10% increase in admissions for substance abuse treatment in 2022 compared to 2020.

Plymouth County documented over 150 opioid-related emergency room visits from North Abington residents in 2022.

In North Abington, arrests for drug-related offenses rose by 8% in 2021, according to county data.

Youth drug use in North Abington schools increased by 5% in 2022 as per a county-wide survey.

Prescription drug abuse reports in Plymouth County, including North Abington, have remained high through 2023.

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 North Abington, MA & Drug Testing Policies

Employers in North Abington, MA, are actively implementing drug testing policies to maintain a drug-free workplace environment. The increased focus on drug testing policies comes as a response to rising drug-related safety concerns and productivity losses. Many local businesses consult resources like the U.S. Department of Labor for guidance.

Some employers offer support services to employees struggling with addiction, reflecting a trend towards rehabilitation rather than punitive measures. These services often include access to Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) and partnerships with local treatment centers to provide comprehensive care options.

Government Efforts with Drug Problems in North Abington, MA

The government of North Abington, MA, in collaboration with Plymouth County, has intensified efforts to combat drug abuse through targeted prevention programs. Local initiatives include partnerships with schools to educate youth on the dangers of drug use. The county has been active in securing state funds to enhance these educational efforts.

Additionally, the city's government works closely with state-level bodies like the Executive Office of Health and Human Services to access wider resources. Efforts also include supporting local law enforcement agencies in community policing initiatives aimed at reducing drug availability and improving community safety.

Local Drug Busts & News in North Abington, MA

In recent years, North Abington, MA, has witnessed several significant drug busts that highlight the ongoing efforts by local and county law enforcement agencies. One notable incident in 2022 involved a coordinated operation that led to the seizure of a significant quantity of narcotics, disrupting local drug distribution networks.

The police department of North Abington also hosts drug take-back events to safely dispose of unused medications, reducing the risks of misuse. These events are publicized through local media and have seen increasing participation from the community.

Occupational Health Services

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Resources & Citations

Massachusetts Substance Use Helpline

Massachusetts Helpline

SAMHSA

Boston Recovery Services

BAMSI Behavioral Health

Learn to Cope

Gavin Foundation

High Point Treatment Center

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