Drug Testing Locations - Lee Acres, NM

Drug Testing in Lee Acres, NM

Lee Acres, New Mexico Statistics

In Lee Acres, NM, San Juan County, 17% of adults reported illicit drug use in the past month.

San Juan County has a rate of 36 opioid prescriptions per 100 people, affecting areas like Lee Acres.

Lee Acres witnessed a 25% increase in drug-related hospitalizations in 2022.

San Juan County, including Lee Acres, ranked 5th in New Mexico for drug overdose deaths in 2021.

Methamphetamine is the most frequently abused substance in Lee Acres, San Juan County.

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 Lee Acres, NM & Drug Testing Policies

Employers in Lee Acres, NM, recognize the importance of maintaining a drug-free workplace. Many companies adhere to drug testing policies as outlined by the U.S. Department of Labor to ensure safety and productivity. Pre-employment and random drug screenings are common practices.

Some local businesses offer employee assistance programs that offer counseling and support for those struggling with addiction. Employers are encouraged to utilize resources from the San Juan County Adult Detention Center Drug Court to aid in rehabilitation efforts for employees.

Government Efforts with Drug Problems in Lee Acres, NM

Government efforts to address drug problems in Lee Acres, NM, are multifaceted, involving collaboration among local, state, and federal agencies. The San Juan County Government has implemented prevention programs and educational initiatives to reduce drug abuse. These programs aim to provide residents with the necessary resources and support.

The New Mexico Department of Health also provides community-based interventions that target high-risk populations in Lee Acres. Through federal grants, the county has increased access to treatment and recovery services. Efforts are ongoing to improve the coordination between law enforcement and healthcare providers.

Local Drug Busts & News in Lee Acres, NM

Lee Acres, NM, has experienced several notable drug busts in recent years. In 2022, a large-scale operation led by the FBI Albuquerque Division resulted in multiple arrests and significant drug seizures, primarily involving methamphetamine and opioids.

The San Juan County Sheriff's Office frequently collaborates with federal agencies to combat drug trafficking in the region. Community-based efforts, including workshops and awareness campaigns, are organized to educate residents on the dangers of drug abuse.

Local law enforcement continues to crack down on illegal drug trade by increasing patrols and working closely with the New Mexico State Legislature to enhance policies that deter drug-related activities.

Occupational Health Services

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

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Resources & Citations

New Mexico Drug Overdose Dashboard

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

Rural and Primary Health Care Program

San Juan County Behavioral Health

National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism

Alcoholics Anonymous New Mexico

Nar-Anon Family Groups

National Institute on Drug Abuse

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