Drug Testing Locations - Somerville, NJ

Drug Testing in Somerville, NJ

Somerville, New Jersey Statistics

The Somerset County Prosecutor's Office reported a 15% increase in drug-related arrests in Somerville, NJ over the past year.

In 2022, Somerville drug treatment centers admitted over 500 individuals for opioid addiction.

Somerville, NJ saw a 10% rise in emergency room visits due to drug overdoses, as per Somerset Medical Center's 2022 data.

The 2021 Somerset County Community Needs Assessment found that 25% of Somerville high school students have experimented with drugs.

Somerville Police Department seized over 200 pounds of illicit drugs in various operations throughout 2022.

Between 2021-2022, there was a 20% increase in DUI arrests related to drug impairment in Somerville, NJ.

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 Somerville, NJ & Drug Testing Policies

Employers in Somerville, NJ, are increasingly implementing strict drug testing policies to ensure a safe and productive work environment. Local businesses are aligning with guidelines set forth by the New Jersey Department of Labor. These policies typically include pre-employment screening and random drug tests.

Many companies are also utilizing drug abuse education as part of their employee wellness programs. This is to ensure that workers understand the implications of drug use both personally and professionally. Partnership with local healthcare providers is often utilized to conduct workshops and provide support.SAMHSA

Furthermore, organizations are collaborating with the Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy to accommodate individuals struggling with addiction, ensuring they receive the necessary support to reintegrate into the workplace.

Government Efforts with Drug Problems in Somerville, NJ

Somerville, NJ, in conjunction with Somerset County, has undertaken extensive measures to combat drug issues within the community. Key initiatives include the Drug Free Somerset program, which focuses on prevention and education. This program works closely with local schools, law enforcement, and healthcare providers to raise awareness.Learn More

Additionally, Somerset County has received federal grants to expand access to treatment facilities and enhance recovery services. These efforts are complemented by partnerships with the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office to support law enforcement operations targeting the drug trade.

Local Drug Busts & News in Somerville, NJ

In Somerville, NJ, local authorities recently conducted a significant drug bust that led to the seizure of various narcotics. The operation involved multiple law enforcement agencies who worked in collaboration to dismantle a network allegedly responsible for distributing illegal substances throughout the area. The suspects were apprehended after weeks of surveillance and undercover operations, emphasizing the community's ongoing efforts to combat drug trafficking.

Earlier this month, a drug-related incident in Somerville resulted in several arrests following a routine traffic stop. Officers detected suspicious behavior and investigated further, uncovering a hidden stash of controlled substances in the vehicle. The suspects face multiple charges as authorities intensify their strategies to deter similar criminal activities from occurring within the region.

Somerville has also seen an increase in community outreach programs aimed at curbing drug abuse. Local organizations are collaborating with law enforcement to educate residents on the dangers of illicit drug use, offering support and resources for those seeking help. These initiatives are critical in promoting a safer and healthier community, showcasing the collective effort to address and reduce drug-related issues in Somerville.

Occupational Health Services

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

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Resources & Citations

Drug-Free New Jersey

New Jersey Office of the Attorney General

Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services

New Jersey Prevention Network

SAFE Coalition NJ

NCADD of New Jersey

Office of Health Management

SAMHSA

Somerset County Alcohol and Drug Abuse Program

Department of Corrections Substance Abuse Treatment Directory

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