Drug Testing Locations - Hanover, NH

Drug Testing in Hanover, NH

Hanover, New Hampshire Statistics

In Hanover, NH, Grafton County, recent surveys indicate that 12% of high school students reported illicit drug use in the past month.

Grafton County reported a 15% increase in opioid-related emergency room visits in Hanover, NH over the past year.

The Hanover Police Department, Grafton County, documented 25 drug-related arrests in 2022.

A study found that Hanover, NH, Grafton County, has a prescription drug misuse rate aligning with the state average of 5%.

Grafton County's overdose death rate in Hanover, NH, stood at 10 per 100,000 residents in the last year.

Among college students in Hanover, NH, Grafton County, 8% reported non-medical use of Adderall in 2022.

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 Hanover, NH & Drug Testing Policies

Employers in Hanover, NH, are adopting stringent drug testing policies to ensure a drug-free workplace. Major companies utilize pre-employment and random testing as an integral part of their hiring process, adhering to federal guidelines under the Department of Labor (DOL) .

In Hanover, NH, businesses encourage participation in Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) offering resources for substance abuse problems. This approach is vital in maintaining safety and productivity in the workplace.

Government Efforts with Drug Problems in Hanover, NH

The government of Hanover, NH, in collaboration with Grafton County, has initiated several measures addressing drug-related issues. Grants from the NH Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) have supported local treatment programs.

Collaborations with federal agencies like the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) aim to fund preventive education in Hanover schools, providing resources to counteract drug abuse effectively.

Local Drug Busts & News in Hanover, NH

In recent years, Hanover, NH, has witnessed a concerted effort from local law enforcement to combat drug-related activities. Collaborative initiatives with nearby towns have led to several successful drug busts, targeting both distributors and users. These operations often result in the seizure of various substances, ranging from opioids to marijuana, highlighting the ongoing battle against drug misuse in the area.

The Dartmouth College community, central to Hanover, has engaged in awareness programs to educate students and residents on the dangers of narcotics use. Events and workshops focusing on rehabilitation and prevention are frequently organized, aiming to curb the influence of drug culture in academic and social settings. These proactive measures contribute to fostering a safer environment for everyone.

Moreover, Hanover's local government has been working tirelessly to address the root causes of drug-related issues. By enhancing support systems for those struggling with addiction and increasing funding for mental health services, they have made strides toward long-term solutions. The collective efforts of law enforcement, educational institutions, and community organizations continue to play a vital role in maintaining Hanover's commitment to reducing drug-related incidents.

Occupational Health Services

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

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Resources & Citations

NH Helpline

Dover City Social Services

NH Department of Health and Human Services

Granite State Sacred Heart Program

WestBridge

Ammonoosuc Community Health Services

NH Recovery Hub

Dartmouth-Hitchcock Health

Mid-State Health Center

Farnum Center

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