Drug Testing Locations - Freeport, PA

Drug Testing in Freeport, PA

Freeport, Pennsylvania Statistics

In Armstrong County, which includes Freeport, PA, 15% of teenagers reported using illicit drugs in the past year.

Freeport, located in Armstrong County, saw a 20% increase in opioid-related overdoses in 2022 compared to 2021.

The rate of drug-related arrests in Freeport, PA, Armstrong County was 12 per 1,000 residents in 2022.

In 2022, Armstrong County, where Freeport is situated, reported that 30% of drug rehab admissions involved opiate addiction.

Freeport, PA, in Armstrong County, observed an increase in methamphetamine-related incidents by 10% in 2022.

Armstrong County, including Freeport, received $500,000 in state funding for drug prevention programs 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 Freeport, PA & Drug Testing Policies

In Freeport, PA, many employers have implemented strict drug testing policies as part of their efforts to maintain a safe and productive workplace. Employers in Armstrong County are encouraged by the U.S Department of Labor to conduct pre-employment drug screenings and random tests. These measures aim to deter drug abuse among employees and applicants.

Additionally, local businesses in Freeport collaborate with organizations such as the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to access resources and training on effectively implementing drug-free workplace policies. This collaborative approach ensures that employers are supported in their drug prevention efforts.

Government Efforts with Drug Problems in Freeport, PA

The government of Freeport, in Armstrong County, PA, has been actively working to combat the local drug crisis through various initiatives. One major effort is the collaboration with the Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs, which offers support for prevention and treatment services.

Furthermore, Freeport's local government has joined forces with the Pennsylvania Department of Health to promote awareness and education about the dangers of drug abuse. This initiative includes community workshops and distribution of educational materials to local schools.

Local Drug Busts & News in Freeport, PA

Recent drug-related events in Freeport, PA have highlighted the ongoing challenges faced by the community. In a significant drug bust in early 2023, local law enforcement in Armstrong County seized over 50 pounds of illegal substances, including opioids and methamphetamines. This operation was a result of a months-long investigation focused on dismantling a regional drug ring.

Community efforts, such as Freeport's annual "Take Back Day," organized in partnership with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), offer residents an opportunity to safely dispose of unused medications. This event aims to prevent prescription drug misuse and reduce the potential for addiction within the community.

Occupational Health Services

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Resources & Citations

Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs

Pennsylvania Department of Health

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)

Pennsylvania Association of County Drug and Alcohol Administrators

The Council of Southeast Pennsylvania

Office of the Governor of Pennsylvania

PA Department of Human Services Provider Directory

PA State Police Crime Tip

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