Drug Testing Locations - Mullica Hill, NJ

Drug Testing in Mullica Hill, NJ

Mullica Hill, New Jersey Statistics

In 2020, Gloucester County, including Mullica Hill, reported 230 opioid overdose deaths.

Mullica Hill, NJ saw a 15% increase in drug-related emergency room visits between 2019 and 2021.

In 2021, 12% of high school students in Gloucester County reported using illicit drugs.

Mullica Hill, part of Gloucester County, had 120 drug-related arrests in 2022.

From 2018 to 2020, Mullica Hill reported a doubling in Narcan distributions.

In 2022, Gloucester County saw a 20% increase in drug treatment admissions.

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 Mullica Hill, NJ & Drug Testing Policies

Employers in Mullica Hill, NJ are increasingly cultivating drug-free workplaces by implementing comprehensive drug testing policies. Such measures are particularly vital in industries with high safety demands. The New Jersey Department of Labor (NJDOL) provides guidelines to local businesses on creating drug-free environments.

Some businesses in the area have adopted pre-employment drug screening and routine tests to ensure employee safety and productivity. Adhering to NJ state regulations, employers strive to maintain a balance between ensuring workplace safety and respecting employees’ privacy.

These initiatives are supported by educational resources and training available from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), encouraging a health-first approach to handling drug-related issues in the workplace.

Government Efforts with Drug Problems in Mullica Hill, NJ

Government efforts to tackle drug issues in Mullica Hill, NJ involve numerous initiatives at both the state and local levels. The New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) works closely with local agencies to implement prevention and treatment programs aimed at reducing drug abuse and overdose mortality rates.

Additionally, the Gloucester County Department of Health (GCDH), serving Mullica Hill, has made concerted efforts to increase community awareness through educational outreach and to improve access to rehabilitation services.

Local Drug Busts & News in Mullica Hill, NJ

Mullica Hill law enforcement, part of Gloucester County, actively collaborates with the Gloucester County Prosecutor’s Office (GCPO) to combat drug distribution and usage. In recent years, several high-profile drug busts have resulted in significant seizures of illegal substances, demonstrating ongoing police efforts.

In mid-2022, a joint operation led to the arrest of a local network involved in trafficking fentanyl, highlighting the persistent issue of opioid crisis in Mullica Hill. These operations often lead to community clean-up events and information sessions aimed at preventing future drug-related crimes.

Drug-related events, such as awareness walks and local forums, help foster community involvement in tackling drug abuse and support initiatives by non-profits and local health departments to provide a comprehensive approach to drug-related issues.

Occupational Health Services

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Resources & Citations

New Jersey Department of Health

Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services

Gloucester County Department of Health

New Jersey Department of Labor

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

Gloucester County Prosecutor’s Office

Addictions New Jersey Resource Foundation

NJ 211 Addictions Services

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