Drug Testing Locations - Atkinson, NC

Drug Testing in Atkinson, NC

Atkinson, North Carolina Statistics

In 2020, Pender County, which includes Atkinson, reported 157 drug-related arrests.

Substance abuse in Atkinson, NC, led to 34 overdose incidents in 2021.

Pender County saw a 12% increase in opioid prescriptions from 2018 to 2022.

In 2021, 42% of drug abuse-related emergency room visits in Pender County involved individuals aged 18-25.

The drug-related death rate in Pender County was 19.3 per 100,000 people in 2020.

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 Atkinson, NC & Drug Testing Policies

In Atkinson, NC, many local employers have strict drug testing policies as a condition for employment. This aligns with efforts by the U.S. Department of Labor to maintain a safe workplace environment. Random drug testing is also implemented in certain high-risk industries.

Local businesses often collaborate with organizations such as SAMHSA to establish clear drug-free workplace policies. These guidelines are part of broader safety and compliance standards that maintain operational integrity and employee welfare.

Government Efforts with Drug Problems in Atkinson, NC

The government of Atkinson, NC, in collaboration with NCDHHS, is intensifying efforts to combat drug abuse. Several initiatives have been launched, focusing on education and rehabilitation to help curb the rising drug abuse problem in Pender County.

State initiatives, alongside local law enforcement, aim to create actionable prevention plans. The Pender County Government frequently holds community meetings to raise awareness about the dangers of drug abuse and offers resources for individuals seeking help.

Local Drug Busts & News in Atkinson, NC

Recently, Atkinson, NC, witnessed a significant drug bust operation that led to the seizure of various narcotics including cocaine and methamphetamine. The Pender County Sheriff's Office worked in coordination with state agencies to execute this operation effectively.

Several community events, like 'Drug Take Back Day', are held regularly in Atkinson to decrease the availability of unused prescription drugs. These events are supported by local law enforcement and residents, emphasizing the importance of community involvement in reducing drug-related issues.

Occupational Health Services

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

North Carolina DOT/Non DOT Physicals

North Carolina Vision Tests

North Carolina Audiograms

North Carolina Respirator Fit Tests

North Carolina Lift Tests

North Carolina Background Checks

Clinical Testing Services

TB Testing in NC

Diabetes Testing in NC

Infectious Disease Testing in NC

Sickle Cell Anemia Testing in NC

Women/Men's Health Testing in NC

Resources & Citations

PORT Health

Coastal Horizons

Trillium Health Resources

Pender County o-drug Awareness

Cape Fear Clinic

NC Council on Alcoholism & Drug Dependency

Martin Luther King Center

Shoreline Delman Company

NCAADAC

NC Psychology Board

Drug Testing Near Atkinson, NC

Wallace, NC

Rocky Point, NC

Willard, NC

Delco, NC

Saint Helena, NC

Watha, NC

Burgaw, NC

Harrells, NC

Sandyfield, NC

East Arcadia, NC

Riegelwood, NC

Lillington, NC

Kelly, NC

Currie, NC

Ivanhoe, NC

Frequently Asked Questions

Customer Reviews