Drug Testing Locations - Onondaga, NY

Drug Testing in Onondaga, NY

Onondaga, New York Statistics

In 2021, Onondaga County reported over 180 opioid-related overdose fatalities.

Onondaga County saw a 20% increase in drug-related hospitalizations from 2019 to 2020.

Syracuse, a key city in Onondaga County, reported 850 opioid overdose cases in 2020.

In 2020, the Onondaga County Health Department seized over 3,500 grams of heroin.

The rate of opioid overdose death in Onondaga County reached 24.3 per 100,000 in 2021.

Onondaga County's addiction treatment calls increased by 15% in 2021.

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 Onondaga, NY & Drug Testing Policies

Employers in Onondaga, NY, are increasingly adopting stringent drug testing policies to maintain a safe and productive workplace environment. These measures comply with regulations set by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), ensuring companies adhere to federal standards.

Local businesses, especially in safety-sensitive industries, may require pre-employment and random drug testing. This is to identify and mitigate any potential risks associated with substance abuse among employees, aligning with the New York State Department of Labor guidelines.

Government Efforts with Drug Problems in Onondaga, NY

The government of Onondaga County, NY, has launched several initiatives to combat drug abuse. One significant step is the Onondaga County Health Department's collaboration with local hospitals to enhance access to addiction services.

The New York State Department of Health also supports these efforts by providing funding for community-based programs that target the opioid crisis specifically. This includes public awareness campaigns and the distribution of naloxone kits to prevent overdose deaths.

Local Drug Busts & News in Onondaga, NY

In recent years, Onondaga County in New York has seen an increase in drug-related incidents, prompting intensified efforts by local law enforcement. Task forces have been formed to tackle the growing issue, focusing on areas with high rates of drug activity. Community cooperation has been instrumental in providing crucial information leading to successful arrests and drug seizures in the past few months.

Local authorities have focused on schools and youth centers to raise awareness about the dangers of drug use. Educational campaigns and workshops for students and parents aim to prevent drug abuse before it begins. The community-led initiatives have been well-received, with increased participation from local residents willing to contribute to curbing the drug problem.

Collaboration between Onondaga County's law enforcement and federal agencies has resulted in substantial narcotics busts. These operations have dismantled several drug rings operating in the region. Significant quantities of heroin and fentanyl have been confiscated, which likely would have contributed to more overdoses and fatalities. The collective efforts underscore the severity of the drug crisis in this area.

The role of community-based support systems cannot be understated in Onondaga's fight against drugs. Rehabilitation centers and support groups are actively working to offer assistance to individuals struggling with addiction. Efforts are being made to integrate educational programs focused on harm reduction and recovery, thereby fostering a supportive environment for those seeking help.

As drug-related events continue to impact Onondaga, resource allocation for combating the issue has become a priority. Funding for law enforcement, mental health services, and community outreach programs has been increased. This holistic approach aims to not only address the immediate problem but also to offer long-term solutions for reducing drug dependency in the community.

Occupational Health Services

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Resources & Citations

NYS Office of Addiction Services and Supports

Nar-Anon Family Groups

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

NYC Well

The Coleman Institute

New York Recovery Coach

ACR Health

HealingNYC

211 CNY

Health Street

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