Drug Testing Locations - Kannapolis, NC

Drug Testing in Kannapolis, NC

Kannapolis, North Carolina Statistics

In Kannapolis, NC, Cabarrus County, opioid-involved deaths have increased by 20% over the past year.

Kannapolis, located in Cabarrus County, reported over 200 drug-related arrests in the past year.

The number of opioid prescriptions dispensed in Cabarrus County, including Kannapolis, dropped by 15% in 2022.

Cabarrus County's needle exchange program in Kannapolis saw a 10% rise in participation.

In Kannapolis, Cabarrus County, emergency room visits for drug overdoses decreased by 8% in 2022.

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 Kannapolis, NC & Drug Testing Policies

Employers in Kannapolis, NC, actively implement drug testing policies to ensure workplace safety and productivity. Many companies adhere to the guidelines provided by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, establishing regular drug screenings and training sessions for employees.

Larger corporations in the area often collaborate with local clinics for pre-employment and random drug testing to maintain a drug-free environment. Smaller businesses also play a role by educating their workforce about the dangers of substance abuse.

Government Efforts with Drug Problems in Kannapolis, NC

The government in Kannapolis, NC, has made concerted efforts to combat drug abuse through increased funding for rehabilitation centers and public education campaigns. Local law enforcement collaborates with agencies like the Cabarrus Health Alliance to organize community outreach initiatives.

The state has also implemented stricter regulations on pain medication prescriptions to reduce dependency. Additionally, partnerships with federal agencies such as the DEA and grants aimed at supporting local recovery programs are part of the broader strategy.

Local Drug Busts & News in Kannapolis, NC

In recent years, Kannapolis, NC has witnessed a number of significant drug busts, highlighting the ongoing efforts of local law enforcement to combat the distribution and use of illegal substances. These operations often involve collaboration between the Kannapolis Police Department and federal agencies, leading to the apprehension of individuals involved in drug trafficking and other related criminal activities.

One notable event was the large-scale operation conducted last year, which resulted in the seizure of a substantial quantity of narcotics including methamphetamine, heroin, and cocaine. This operation was part of a larger initiative to dismantle drug networks operating in the area, underscoring the seriousness of the drug problem and the commitment of law enforcement to address it.

Community outreach programs have also been initiated in response to rising concerns about drug-related violence and addiction issues in Kannapolis. These programs aim to educate the public about the dangers of drug abuse and provide resources for treatment and prevention, working in tandem with law enforcement efforts to reduce the impact of drugs on the community.

Occupational Health Services

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

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Resources & Citations

CDC - Drug Overdose

SAMHSA

North Carolina Drug Abuse Association

NC Department of Health and Human Services

Cabarrus Health Alliance

Recovery NC

North Carolina o-drug Settlement

NC Department of Public Safety

n-drug Saves

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