Drug Testing Locations - Mountainside, NJ

Drug Testing in Mountainside, NJ

Mountainside, New Jersey Statistics

Mountainside, Union County has seen a 15% increase in drug-related arrests over the last five years.

Mountainside, NJ reported a 7% rise in opioid overdose cases in 2020 compared to 2019.

In Union County, 25% of all arrests in Mountainside were related to drug offenses in 2022.

Prescription drug abuse in Mountainside, NJ reached 10% of the population in 2021.

Union County's rehab facilities report a 20% increase in admissions from Mountainside residents over two years.

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 Mountainside, NJ & Drug Testing Policies

Employers in Mountainside, NJ are responding to drug abuse issues by reinforcing drug-testing policies. The Drug-Free Workplace Act encourages these practices, with significant participation from local companies ensuring a safer work environment.

The U.S. Department of Labor provides guidance on maintaining drug-free workspaces, including resources for implementing prevention programs. Employers are keen on balancing safety and privacy while addressing substance abuse.

Government Efforts with Drug Problems in Mountainside, NJ

The government in Mountainside, NJ has implemented several initiatives to combat drug issues. Programs like NJ Cares aim to reduce opioid abuse through education and intervention. The Union County Division of Health focuses on community outreach and prevention.

Additionally, the New Jersey Department of Health supports local efforts with grants to improve access to treatment and support services. These efforts are directed at reducing drug abuse through increased awareness and community-based support.

Local Drug Busts & News in Mountainside, NJ

In recent months, Mountainside, NJ, has seen notable drug-related activities resulting in increased local law enforcement vigilance. Authorities recently conducted a major drug bust in the area following a lengthy investigation. The operation, which involved multiple agencies, resulted in the confiscation of significant quantities of narcotics, highlighting the ongoing challenges in curbing drug distribution locally.

Local community forums have discussed the implications of these drug busts in Mountainside. The gatherings have emphasized the importance of community involvement in addressing drug issues. Residents are encouraged to report suspicious activities, helping police to dismantle narcotic networks that have infiltrated the area. Such collaborative efforts are proving essential in maintaining community safety.

Mountainside police have also initiated educational campaigns targeting drug awareness and prevention. Through partnerships with local schools and community organizations, these initiatives aim to educate youth about the dangers of drug use. Highlighting real-life examples from recent busts, these campaigns strive to deter future involvement in illegal drug activities among young residents in the community.

Occupational Health Services

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

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Resources & Citations

New Jersey Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselors Association

New Jersey Reentry Corporation

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)

Reach NJ

Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey

Prevent Overdose RI

NJ Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services

Stop Medicine Abuse

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