Drug Testing Locations - Albion, NJ

Drug Testing in Albion, NJ

Albion, New Jersey Statistics

In Albion, Camden County, NJ, heroin-related overdose deaths increased by 25% from 2018 to 2020.

Camden County, where Albion is located, reported a 15% rise in opioid prescriptions in 2019.

Albion, NJ has seen a 10% increase in emergency room visits due to drug overdoses in 2021.

Camden County had over 300 drug-related arrests in 2020, with a significant portion from Albion, NJ.

Drug treatment admissions in Albion, Camden County increased by 30% between 2019 and 2021.

Albion high schools reported a 5% increase in drug use among students from 2019 to 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 Albion, NJ & Drug Testing Policies

Employers in Albion, NJ, are increasingly adopting strict drug-testing policies to ensure workplace safety. Many companies require pre-employment drug screenings and random testing during employment to deter substance abuse.

The U.S. Department of Labor provides guidelines and support for Albion employers implementing drug-free workplace programs, highlighting the importance of maintaining a safe and productive work environment.

Government Efforts with Drug Problems in Albion, NJ

The government of Albion, NJ, in conjunction with Camden County, has initiated multiple strategies to combat drug problems in the area. Programs like Camden County Substance Abuse offer resources for treatment and prevention.

At the state level, the New Jersey Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) plays a crucial role in coordinating efforts to address this crisis through funding and policy-making focused on reducing substance abuse.

Local Drug Busts & News in Albion, NJ

Local authorities in Albion, NJ have conducted numerous drug busts in recent years, targeting major distribution networks within Camden County. These operations have resulted in the seizure of substantial quantities of illicit drugs and the dismantling of several drug rings.

Community events such as drug take-back programs have been organized to encourage safe disposal of unused medications and reduce the potential for abuse, contributing to the overall drug prevention strategy in Albion.

Occupational Health Services

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

New Jersey DOT/Non DOT Physicals

New Jersey Vision Tests

New Jersey Audiograms

New Jersey Respirator Fit Tests

New Jersey Lift Tests

New Jersey Background Checks

Clinical Testing Services

TB Testing in NJ

Diabetes Testing in NJ

Infectious Disease Testing in NJ

Sickle Cell Anemia Testing in NJ

Women/Men's Health Testing in NJ

Resources & Citations

Recovery.org

NIDA New Jersey

SAMHSA Helpline

NJ 211 Addiction Services

Camden County Substance Abuse Resources

Center for Family Services

Jewish Family & Children's Service of Southern NJ

Rutgers University's Addiction Resources

PTSA Generation Rx

The Partnership for a Drug-Free NJ

Drug Testing Near Albion, NJ

Voorhees, NJ

Whitman Square, NJ

Stratford, NJ

Sicklerville, NJ

Laurel Springs, NJ

Gibbsboro, NJ

Lindenwold, NJ

Atco, NJ

Clementon, NJ

West Berlin, NJ

Pine Hill, NJ

Tansboro, NJ

Pine Valley, NJ

Magnolia, NJ

Berlin, NJ

Frequently Asked Questions

Customer Reviews