Drug Testing Locations - Hackensack, NJ

Drug Testing in Hackensack, NJ

Hackensack, New Jersey Statistics

In 2020, Hackensack, Bergen County, reported an opioid overdose rate of 25 per 100,000 residents.

Bergen County, including Hackensack, had 600 naloxone administrations in 2021.

Hackensack's drug-related arrests increased by 15% from 2019 to 2021.

In 2019, Hackensack emergency services responded to 350 drug overdose calls.

The rate of hospitalizations due to substance abuse in Bergen County was 12.3% in 2021.

Hackensack saw a rise in heroin use, with 40% of drug treatment admissions involving heroin in 2020.

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 Hackensack, NJ & Drug Testing Policies

Employers in Hackensack, NJ, are increasingly adopting rigorous drug testing policies to ensure a safe and productive workplace. Many businesses follow state guidelines provided by the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development Department of Labor to implement random and pre-employment drug screenings.

These policies are in place to deter drug use and maintain compliance with safety regulations, especially in sectors like healthcare and transportation where impairment can severely impact operations. Hackensack employers also participate in educational workshops and collaborate with local treatment centers to support employees struggling with addiction.

Government Efforts with Drug Problems in Hackensack, NJ

The city of Hackensack, NJ is implementing several initiatives to combat the drug crisis. The Hackensack Police Department collaborates with Bergen County's Prosecutor's Office and local agencies to conduct educational campaigns and awareness programs about the dangers of drug abuse.

Furthermore, New Jersey state-funded programs like the Governor's Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse focus on education, prevention, and treatment to reduce the addiction rates in Hackensack and surrounding areas.

Local Drug Busts & News in Hackensack, NJ

In recent years, Hackensack, NJ, has seen an increase in drug-related activity. Local police forces have been stepping up efforts to combat the issue through strategic operations and community engagement. Enhanced surveillance measures have led to numerous arrests, highlighting law enforcement's dedication to maintaining safety and order in the community.

One of the most significant drug busts in Hackensack occurred last year, when a coordinated operation uncovered a large narcotics distribution ring operating from within the city. The bust resulted in the seizure of substantial amounts of illegal substances, as well as the arrest of several key figures involved. This operation was deemed a major success by local authorities.

Beyond large-scale operations, police also focus on smaller, community-focused efforts to prevent drug activity. Regular patrols and collaboration with neighborhood organizations aim to reduce the presence of illegal drugs and educate the public on the risks associated with substance abuse. Hackensack's commitment to these preventative actions highlights the importance of community support in tackling drug-related issues.

Occupational Health Services

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Resources & Citations

Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey

Hope Sheds Light

Bergen ResourceNet

The Center for Prevention and Counseling

Mental Health Association in New Jersey

Bergen County Department of Health Services

NJ Connect for Recovery

Community Coalition for a Safe and Healthy Morris

Halfway Houses of NJ

Center for Network Therapy

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