Drug Testing Locations - Grants, NM

Drug Testing in Grants, NM

Grants, New Mexico Statistics

In Grants, NM, Cibola County reported a 45% increase in opioid-related overdoses in 2021.

Methamphetamine accounted for 60% of drug-related arrests in Grants, NM in 2020.

Cibola County experienced a 15% rise in drug-related emergency visits from 2019 to 2020.

Grants, NM saw a 25% increase in drug treatment admissions in 2021.

In 2021, 30% of high school students in Grants, NM reported experimenting with drugs.

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 Grants, NM & Drug Testing Policies

Employers in Grants, NM are adopting stringent drug testing policies to maintain a safe workplace environment. Many companies have implemented pre-employment and random drug screening to deter drug use among employees, aligning with state regulations.

These policies are supported by the U.S. Department of Labor's guidelines on drug-free work environments. Such measures are aimed at reducing workplace accidents and promoting employee health and productivity.

Government Efforts with Drug Problems in Grants, NM

The government of Grants, NM, in Cibola County, has been proactive in addressing drug problems by implementing community-based programs and collaborations with local law enforcement to curb substance abuse. Initiatives focus on education and prevention to limit the availability of drugs.

Government efforts also include partnerships with organizations like the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to provide resources and support for individuals struggling with addiction. Additionally, local outreach programs emphasize the significance of treatment and recovery options.

Local Drug Busts & News in Grants, NM

The small city of Grants, New Mexico, has recently seen an increase in drug-related incidents, highlighting the challenges local law enforcement agencies face. The Grants Police Department, in coordination with regional task forces, has intensified efforts to crack down on drug dealers operating in the area. These initiatives have already led to several significant drug busts, dismantling operations involved in the distribution of methamphetamine and heroin.

In a recent operation, authorities arrested several individuals connected to a drug trafficking ring believed to be supplying illegal substances across Cibola County. The arrests were the culmination of months of investigation, surveillance, and inter-agency collaboration. Such successes underscore the ongoing commitment to rid the community of narcotics, thereby enhancing the safety and wellbeing of Grants’ residents.

The spike in drug-related activities has also prompted local community leaders to advocate for increased education and engagement. Efforts are underway to raise awareness about the dangers of drug abuse, particularly among the youth. Public forums and educational programs have been organized as part of a broader strategy to prevent drug misuse and support affected families, aiming to build resilience within the community.

Grants’ officials continue to focus on rehabilitation and support services as key components of addressing the drug issue. By strengthening local support systems, they aim to offer alternative paths to those struggling with addiction, thereby reducing the demand for illegal drugs. These initiatives are seen as critical in the broader fight against substance abuse, working alongside enforcement measures to foster a healthier and safer environment.

Occupational Health Services

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

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Resources & Citations

SAMHSA's National Helpline

New Mexico Department of Health Behavioral Health

NM Community Services

Alcoholics Anonymous New Mexico

Narcotics Anonymous New Mexico

Hope Initiative

Health Information Tool for New Mexico

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