Drug Testing Locations - Harris, OK

Drug Testing in Harris, OK

Harris, Oklahoma Statistics

In 2020, Harris City, located in McCurtain County, reported a 15% increase in drug-related arrests compared to the previous year.

According to the McCurtain County Health Department, opioid prescriptions in Harris, OK, decreased by 10% in 2021.

Emergency room visits for drug overdoses in the city of Harris rose by 20% in 2019.

The Harris Police Department highlighted that methamphetamine use remains the most common drug issue in the city as of 2022.

Harris, located in McCurtain County, experienced a steady increase in drug-related fatalities from 2018 to 2020, according to state reports.

Drug treatment program enrollments in Harris, OK, increased by 25% in 2021, reflecting a growing acknowledgment of substance abuse issues.

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 Harris, OK & Drug Testing Policies

Employers in Harris, OK, stress strict drug-free workplace policies, with many businesses adopting routine drug screenings. This is part of a broader move to ensure public safety and productivity, aligning with Oklahoma’s Employment Security Commission guidelines.

Workers in industries like transportation and manufacturing face random drug tests complying with federal and state policies. The goal is to deter substance abuse while maintaining high safety standards across workplaces.

Despite legal allowances for medical cannabis, employers are keen on maintaining operational safety by reiterating zero-tolerance policies, often utilizing local resources for employee assistance programs to support those facing substance issues.

Government Efforts with Drug Problems in Harris, OK

The government of Harris, OK, in McCurtain County, has intensified efforts to combat drug abuse. Funding for local law enforcement has been boosted to enhance surveillance and community policing. Federal support is accessed through initiatives like the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), providing grants for education and rehabilitation programs.

Harris city authorities also collaborate with the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services to implement statewide strategies targeting opioid addiction. Local outreach focuses on prevention, de-addiction, and reintegration initiatives to deter drug use among youths.

Local Drug Busts & News in Harris, OK

Recently, in Harris, McCurtain County, a significant drug bust led to the arrest of multiple individuals involved in methamphetamine distribution. Local law enforcement teamed with state agencies to curb this prevalent issue.

Community awareness efforts are spotlighted during annual 'Drug Awareness Month,' with local events and workshops organized by the Harris Police and supported by organizations dedicated to drug prevention and education.

In 2022, Harris saw a surge in collaborative efforts between local schools and health departments aimed at educating the youth, highlighting the real impacts of drug abuse through interactive events and discussions.

Occupational Health Services

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

Oklahoma DOT/Non DOT Physicals

Oklahoma Vision Tests

Oklahoma Audiograms

Oklahoma Respirator Fit Tests

Oklahoma Lift Tests

Oklahoma Background Checks

Clinical Testing Services

TB Testing in OK

Diabetes Testing in OK

Infectious Disease Testing in OK

Sickle Cell Anemia Testing in OK

Women/Men's Health Testing in OK

Resources & Citations

Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services

Oklahoma Office of the Attorney General

ReMerge

Tulsa Counseling and Recovery Services

211 Oklahoma

SMART Recovery

Nar-Anon Family Groups

Oklahoma Girls and Boys Ranch

Oklahoma Mental Health Association

12 Step Oklahoma

Drug Testing Near Harris, OK

Valliant, OK

Wright City, OK

McCurtain, OK

Millerton, OK

Eagletown, OK

Zion, OK

Golden, OK

Broken Bow, OK

Garvin, OK

Goodwater, OK

Idabel, OK

Bokhoma, OK

Tom, OK

Haworth, OK

Southeast McCurtain, OK

Frequently Asked Questions

Customer Reviews