Drug Testing Locations - Hollywood, SC

Drug Testing in Hollywood, SC

Hollywood, South Carolina Statistics

In Hollywood, SC, Charleston County reports that around 15% of adults have attempted illicit drugs at least once.

The county witnessed a 10% increase in opioid-related overdoses between 2021 and 2022.

Charleston County ranked in the top 5 counties in SC for drug-related arrests in 2022.

Approximately 8% of high school students in Hollywood, SC have been involved in drug use.

Fentanyl was found in 60% of drug overdose cases in Charleston County 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 Hollywood, SC & Drug Testing Policies

In Hollywood, SC, local employers have adopted strict drug testing policies to maintain a safe working environment. Many companies require pre-employment drug screening as a condition of hiring, and random drug tests are conducted throughout employment. These practices are supported by the South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce, which provides guidelines and assistance to employers.

Employee assistance programs (EAPs) are often available to support staff members dealing with substance issues. Such programs are geared towards providing employees with resources like counseling and rehabilitation referrals. Employers in Charleston County continue to partner with local organizations to combat workplace drug use effectively.

Government Efforts with Drug Problems in Hollywood, SC

The government of Hollywood, SC, and Charleston County has been actively working to curb drug abuse. Initiatives include increasing funding for prevention programs and collaborating with organizations like the South Carolina Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services. These efforts aim to educate the public and provide resources for those seeking treatment.

Additionally, law enforcement agencies in Charleston County have implemented strategies to handle drug-related crimes effectively. Collaborations with federal agencies aim to dismantle large drug networks operating in the region. Local initiatives focus on increasing the availability of treatment facilities in and around Hollywood, SC.

Local Drug Busts & News in Hollywood, SC

Recent drug busts in Hollywood, SC, have highlighted the extent of illegal drug trafficking in the area. In 2023, Charleston County law enforcement conducted a major operation that resulted in numerous arrests and the seizure of significant quantities of narcotics. This event underscores the ongoing battle against substance abuse and the sale of illegal drugs in the community.

Local media frequently report on drug-related events in Hollywood, emphasizing the need for enhanced community involvement and awareness. Public events and town hall meetings have been organized, encouraging residents to become active participants in prevention and support initiatives. Agencies like the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division support these efforts.

Occupational Health Services

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Resources & Citations

South Carolina Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services

South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce

South Carolina Law Enforcement Division

National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, Inc.

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

Charleston Community Health

Behavioral Health Services of South Carolina

Palmetto Center

Crossroads Recovery Center

The Phoenix Center

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