Drug Testing Locations - South Bend, NE

Drug Testing in South Bend, NE

South Bend, Nebraska Statistics

In South Bend, NE, located in Cass County, 14% of adolescents reported using illicit drugs in the past year.

Cass County, home to South Bend, NE, reported a 20% increase in drug-related arrests over the past five years.

The overdose mortality rate in South Bend, NE, in Cass County, stands at 12 per 100,000 people.

South Bend, NE, in Cass County, saw a 25% rise in drug possession charges in 2022.

Heroin usage in Cass County, where South Bend, NE, is located, is above the national average, affecting 7 out of 1,000 people.

Prescription opioid abuse in South Bend, NE's Cass County affects over 6% of the population.

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 South Bend, NE & Drug Testing Policies

Employers in South Bend, NE, are increasingly aware of the impacts of drug use in the workplace. Many companies have adopted comprehensive drug testing policies to ensure safety. The Nebraska Department of Labor provides resources and guidelines for employers implementing these policies.

The approach to drug testing varies but generally includes pre-employment screening and random testing for current employees. These measures aim to create a safe and productive working environment, reflecting the statewide commitment to combating drug abuse.

Government Efforts with Drug Problems in South Bend, NE

The government is taking proactive steps to combat drug abuse in South Bend, NE. The city has collaborated with state and federal agencies to implement effective drug prevention programs. The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services plays a vital role in these efforts.

Funding has been increased for treatment centers and educational campaigns, aiming to reduce the stigma associated with drug addiction. Local law enforcement in Cass County, where South Bend resides, is also involved in community outreach programs to prevent drug-related activities.

Local Drug Busts & News in South Bend, NE

South Bend, NE, has witnessed several significant drug busts in recent years, highlighting ongoing challenges in the area. In the past year, local law enforcement in Cass County conducted a successful operation that resulted in the seizure of substantial quantities of heroin and methamphetamine.

Such events underscore the need for robust community involvement and support for law enforcement efforts. The aim is to dismantle drug networks and prevent distribution in South Bend, NE, ultimately fostering a safer community environment.

Occupational Health Services

Accredited Drug Testing offers fast, reliable employment screening services in South Bend, NE. Trusted by employers nationwide for accurate results and exceptional service.

Nebraska DOT/Non DOT Physicals

Nebraska Vision Tests

Nebraska Audiograms

Nebraska Respirator Fit Tests

Nebraska Lift Tests

Nebraska Background Checks

Clinical Testing Services

TB Testing in NE

Diabetes Testing in NE

Infectious Disease Testing in NE

Sickle Cell Anemia Testing in NE

Women/Men's Health Testing in NE

Resources & Citations

SAMHSA

National Institute on Drug Abuse

Nebraska DHHS Behavioral Health

North Dakota Association of Counties

Cass County Behavioral Health Services

The Pathways Program

Behavioral Health Centers of Nebraska

Nebraska Addiction Services

Drug Testing Near South Bend, NE

Papillion, NE

Chalco, NE

Richfield, NE

Alvo, NE

Memphis, NE

Wann, NE

Elmwood, NE

Weeping Water, NE

Greenwood, NE

Gretna, NE

Cedar Creek, NE

Springfield, NE

Ashland, NE

Murdock, NE

Louisville, NE

Frequently Asked Questions

Customer Reviews