Drug Testing Locations - Longwood, NC

Drug Testing in Longwood, NC

Longwood, North Carolina Statistics

In 2022, Brunswick County, where Longwood is located, reported a 15% increase in drug-related arrests compared to the previous year.

A 2021 survey revealed that approximately 8.6% of Brunswick County residents admitted to illicit drug use in the past month.

In Brunswick County, opioid-related deaths accounted for nearly 60% of all drug overdose deaths in 2021.

The same 2021 survey highlighted that 12% of teenagers in Brunswick County had tried marijuana at least once.

Longwood, along with other parts of Brunswick County, has seen a steady rise in methamphetamine-related incidents since 2020.

In Brunswick County, there were 500 Naloxone administrations by EMS in 2022, an increase from 400 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 Longwood, NC & Drug Testing Policies

Employers in Longwood, NC, are increasingly adopting stringent drug testing policies to maintain safe and productive work environments. These policies often include pre-employment screenings, random drug tests, and post-incident testing. Local businesses comply with guidelines from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

Many businesses in the Brunswick County area partner with Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) to provide support and resources to their employees struggling with substance abuse. These programs are central in fostering a workplace culture that encourages health and wellbeing, reducing substance abuse instances.

Government Efforts with Drug Problems in Longwood, NC

The government of Longwood, NC, primarily through Brunswick County initiatives, is actively addressing the drug crisis. The Brunswick County Health Department collaborates with local agencies to provide educational programs and increase awareness. Grants from the DEA also support community-based interventions and law enforcement training.

Statewide, the North Carolina Opioid and Substance Abuse Action Plan is a major effort to counteract drug issues, with an emphasis on prevention and treatment. The plan is supported by agencies like the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, which offers resources for both residents and health professionals.

Local Drug Busts & News in Longwood, NC

Longwood, NC, has witnessed several drug-related incidents that have prompted community action and law enforcement response. In early 2023, a major drug bust in Brunswick County, including Longwood, resulted in multiple arrests and the seizure of significant quantities of methamphetamine and opioids.

Additionally, the local police department conducts regular operations to curb drug trafficking and abuse, using strategies like community policing and collaboration with the Brunswick County Sheriff's Office. Recent community forums have also been organized to discuss the impacts of drug abuse and engage residents in finding lasting solutions.

Occupational Health Services

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Resources & Citations

North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services

Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Abuse Services

NC o-drug Settlement

Brunswick County Emergency Medical Services

North Carolina Department of Justice

Palmetto Poison Center

Lifeline for Living

Coastal Horizons

North Carolina Families United

Brunswick County Sheriff's Office

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