Drug Testing Locations - North Bergen, NJ

Drug Testing in North Bergen, NJ

North Bergen, New Jersey Statistics

In 2022, Hudson County, which includes North Bergen, reported over 1,000 drug-related arrests.

North Bergen experienced a 15% increase in opioid overdose deaths in 2021.

In Hudson County, 20% of high school students reported using cannabis in the past year.

North Bergen emergency services attended to over 200 drug overdose calls in 2021.

Substance abuse treatment admissions in North Bergen increased by 10% in 2022.

Hudson County had one of the highest rates of heroin use in New Jersey 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 North Bergen, NJ & Drug Testing Policies

Employers in North Bergen, NJ, are implementing stricter drug testing policies to ensure a safe and productive work environment. Many local businesses adhere to guidelines set forth by the U.S. Department of Labor which encourage regular drug screenings, especially in safety-sensitive positions.

Government agencies at the state level, such as the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development, provide resources and support to employers implementing these policies. These efforts are designed to deter substance abuse and promote healthy and sustainable workplaces throughout North Bergen.

Government Efforts with Drug Problems in North Bergen, NJ

The government of North Bergen, NJ, is actively working to address the drug problems within the community through various initiatives and partnerships. The county frequently collaborates with organizations such as the Hudson County Government and the New Jersey Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services to provide resources for drug education and prevention programs.

Local law enforcement in North Bergen also closely works with federal agencies such as the Drug Enforcement Administration to combat drug trafficking and distribution. Through community outreach and support services, the government aims to reduce drug-related incidents and assist those in need of addiction treatment.

Local Drug Busts & News in North Bergen, NJ

Recent drug busts in North Bergen, NJ, include a significant operation in 2023, resulting in the seizure of large quantities of cocaine and heroin. The operation was part of a larger effort in Hudson County to curb the distribution of illegal narcotics by targeting key figures in the local drug trade.

Throughout recent years, North Bergen has experienced several high-profile drug-related events, leading to increased law enforcement presence and community awareness initiatives. Public forums and workshops are being organized to educate citizens about the signs of drug abuse and preventive measures.

Occupational Health Services

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

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Resources & Citations

Hudson County Addiction Treatment

New Jersey Prevention Network

NJ Reentry Corporation

NJ 211 Addiction Recovery

Integrity House

Care Plus NJ

Reach NJ

Coalition for Positive Change

Prevention is Key

Ocean Mental Health Services

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