Drug Testing Locations - Highland Lakes, NJ

Drug Testing in Highland Lakes, NJ

Highland Lakes, New Jersey Statistics

In Highland Lakes, NJ, drug-related hospitalizations have increased by 15% in the past year.

20% of teenagers in Highland Lakes, located in Sussex County, have reported using marijuana at least once.

There were 50 drug-related arrests in Highland Lakes, Sussex County, in 2022.

Highland Lakes, NJ, saw a 10% rise in opioid prescription rates over the past two years.

In Sussex County, where Highland Lakes is located, overdoses accounted for 25 emergency calls per month in 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 Highland Lakes, NJ & Drug Testing Policies

Employers in Highland Lakes, NJ, are increasingly implementing strict drug testing policies to ensure a safe and drug-free workplace. Many companies conduct pre-employment screenings and random drug tests throughout the year. Organizations such as the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development (NJDOL) provide guidelines and resources for employers on implementing these policies.

Additionally, some businesses in Sussex County offer employee assistance programs (EAPs) to help workers struggling with substance abuse issues. These programs often include counseling services, educational resources, and referrals to local treatment centers. The aim is to support employees while maintaining a productive work environment.

Government Efforts with Drug Problems in Highland Lakes, NJ

The government of Highland Lakes, NJ, is actively working to address drug abuse issues through various initiatives. The Sussex County Department of Health and Human Services has implemented educational programs targeting youth and adults to raise awareness about the dangers of drug abuse. These initiatives are supported by local law enforcement agencies and community organizations.

State efforts also contribute significantly to combatting drug abuse in the area. The New Jersey Department of Human Services offers grants and funding for community programs focused on prevention and rehabilitation. Additionally, federal resources from agencies like the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) provide further support for state and local efforts.

Local Drug Busts & News in Highland Lakes, NJ

Highland Lakes, NJ, has witnessed several high-profile drug busts in recent years, highlighting the ongoing struggle against drug trafficking in the area. In 2023, local law enforcement agencies conducted a major operation that led to the arrest of multiple individuals involved in distributing illegal substances. This operation was part of a broader initiative by the Sussex County Sheriff's Office to curb drug-related activities.

Community events and initiatives also play a crucial role in raising awareness and preventing drug abuse in Highland Lakes. Events like local drug take-back days provide residents with a safe and secure way to dispose of unused medications, thereby reducing the risk of prescription drug misuse. These community-driven efforts, coupled with law enforcement activities, aim to tackle the complex issue of drug abuse from multiple angles.

Occupational Health Services

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

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Resources & Citations

New Jersey Department of Human Services

Sussex County Department of Health and Human Services

American Academy of Pediatrics NJ

Reach Out Recovery

NCADD of Middlesex County, Inc.

Prevent Child Abuse-New Jersey

New Jersey Rehabs

Steady House Recovery

Ammon Foundation

Center for Prevention and Counseling

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