Drug Testing Locations - Massapequa, NY

Drug Testing in Massapequa, NY

Massapequa, New York Statistics

In Massapequa, Nassau County, opioid overdose deaths increased by 25% from 2018 to 2020.

Nassau County reported over 1,000 drug-related emergency room visits in 2021.

Massapequa witnessed a 15% rise in heroin-related arrests between 2019 and 2021.

In 2020, approximately 75% of drug treatment admissions in Massapequa involved opioids.

From 2017 to 2020, Massapequa saw a 30% increase in drug-related crimes.

The Nassau County Youth Addiction Demographics reported Massapequa as having one of the highest youth drug abuse rates in the 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 Massapequa, NY & Drug Testing Policies

Employers in Massapequa, NY, actively implement drug testing policies to ensure workplace safety. Many companies collaborate with the New York State Department of Labor to follow guidelines on maintaining a drug-free workplace. These policies often include pre-employment and random drug screenings.

The enforcement of these policies varies, with larger corporations employing stringent testing measures, while smaller businesses may adopt more lenient approaches. Regardless, education on substance abuse and its impact on productivity is a common priority for all employers in the area, showcasing a commitment to fostering a safe and healthy work environment.

Government Efforts with Drug Problems in Massapequa, NY

The local government of Massapequa, NY has initiated several efforts to combat the growing drug problem. Nassau County has increased funding for drug prevention and education programs, while collaborating with organizations like the NYS Office of Addiction Services and Supports to expand treatment services.

Massapequa has also worked closely with federal initiatives such as the DEA's 360 Strategy, employing a unified effort combining law enforcement, diversion control, and community outreach. Enhanced drug courts and more aggressive law enforcement operations aim to deter drug trafficking and provide offenders with viable rehabilitation options.

Local Drug Busts & News in Massapequa, NY

In recent months, law enforcement agencies have heightened their patrols in Massapequa, NY, focusing on drug trafficking operations. Several significant drug busts have taken place, resulting in the seizure of illegal narcotics and the arrest of numerous suspects.

One notable operation involved a coordinated effort among local police and federal agents, leading to the uncovering of an extensive drug distribution network.

The operation, which centered around the Massapequa area, discovered large quantities of narcotics, including opioids and methamphetamines, hidden in residences and vehicles. This successful crackdown highlights the ongoing efforts to mitigate the impact of drug distribution in suburban communities.

The authorities have vowed to continue their efforts in collaboration with community leaders, emphasizing the importance of public awareness and engagement in tackling drug-related crime. Their aim is to sustain a safe environment for the residents of Massapequa.

Occupational Health Services

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Resources & Citations

Nassau County Drug and Alcohol Addiction Resources

Massapequa Addiction Resource Center

NYS Office of Addiction Services and Supports

Carnegie Hill Institute

Addiction Resource

Gateway Longview

New York State Department of Health - o-drug Prevention

Brick House Opportunity Foundation

Catholic Charities

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