Drug Testing Locations - Arroyo Hondo, NM

Drug Testing in Arroyo Hondo, NM

Arroyo Hondo, New Mexico Statistics

In 2020, Arroyo Hondo, Taos County, reported a 15% increase in drug-related arrests.

The opioid prescription rate in Arroyo Hondo, Taos County, was 64.3 per 100 residents in 2019.

In Taos County, where Arroyo Hondo is located, 7% of residents reported illicit drug use in 2018.

Arroyo Hondo, Taos County, saw a 20% rise in methamphetamine-related incidents from 2019 to 2020.

Taos County recorded 25 drug overdose deaths in 2020, impacting communities like Arroyo Hondo.

A 2019 survey showed that 18% of high school students in Taos County, including Arroyo Hondo, had used marijuana in the past month.

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 Arroyo Hondo, NM & Drug Testing Policies

Employers in Arroyo Hondo, NM, recognize the significance of maintaining a drug-free workplace. Many have implemented stringent drug testing policies to ensure the well-being and productivity of their employees. These policies often require pre-employment drug testing and random drug screenings as part of the employment terms.

The Taos County Chamber of Commerce provides resources and guidelines to local businesses on managing drug issues within the workplace. Some industries, particularly those involving safety-sensitive positions, adhere strictly to federal regulations under the guidance of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to prevent workplace incidents related to drug use.

Government Efforts with Drug Problems in Arroyo Hondo, NM

The government of Arroyo Hondo, NM, in collaboration with Taos County, is actively working to combat drug abuse through various initiatives. The Taos County Health Department offers substance abuse counseling and support services. Statewide efforts are supported by the New Mexico Department of Health, which provides resources and educational programs aimed at prevention and rehabilitation.

Additionally, the local government supports campaigns to raise awareness about the dangers of drug use, and law enforcement agencies are focused on cracking down on illegal drug activities. Community-based organizations in Arroyo Hondo participate in these efforts by organizing events and workshops to educate residents on the impacts of drug abuse and the importance of early intervention.

Local Drug Busts & News in Arroyo Hondo, NM

Recent local drug busts in Arroyo Hondo, NM, highlight ongoing issues and efforts to curb illegal drug activities. A significant bust in 2021 led to the seizure of large quantities of methamphetamine and the arrest of key figures involved in distribution networks across Taos County.

Community members are increasingly concerned about the prevalence of drug-related incidents. In response, local law enforcement agencies have ramped up their operations and are actively engaging with the community to gather intelligence and foster cooperative efforts in identifying and shutting down drug operations.

Public forums and community meetings are frequently held to discuss drug-related challenges and coordinate collective actions to protect the community. By involving various stakeholders, including schools, healthcare providers, and social services, Arroyo Hondo aims to create a comprehensive approach to tackle drug-related issues.

Occupational Health Services

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

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Resources & Citations

New Mexico Treatment

New Mexico Department of Health

New Mexico Health Resources

SAMHSA National Helpline

Taos County Health Services

Drug Helpline

Freedom Gateway Center

Addiction Center New Mexico

New Mexico Substance Abuse Treatment

New Mexico Behavioral Health Institute

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