Drug Testing Locations - Parker, SC

Drug Testing in Parker, SC

Parker, South Carolina Statistics

In 2021, opioid-related overdose deaths in Parker, Greenville County, SC, increased by 20%.

Parker, SC witnessed a 15% rise in methamphetamine-related arrests in 2020.

Greenville County Sheriff's Office reported over 400 drug-related incidents in Parker in 2022.

In 2023, Parker, Greenville County, SC experienced a 10% increase in emergency room visits due to drug overdoses.

Parker saw a 25% rise in heroin seizures from 2019 to 2021, according to Greenville County data.

In 2022, over 60% of drug rehabilitation admissions in Parker, Greenville County, were for opioid use.

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 Parker, SC & Drug Testing Policies

Employers in Parker, SC, are also taking a proactive stance against drug abuse. Many companies now require pre-employment drug testing and random drug testing for current employees. These policies aim to ensure a safe and productive workplace. Information on workplace drug policies can be found at SAMHSA.

The increased focus on drug testing is attributed to the desire to maintain the health and safety of the workforce. Employers also provide access to employee assistance programs that help workers dealing with substance abuse issues by offering counseling and support services to facilitate recovery and retention.

Government Efforts with Drug Problems in Parker, SC

The government in Parker, SC, has implemented several initiatives to combat drug issues. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the local authorities are working together on public awareness campaigns. Increased funding for rehabilitation centers in Greenville County is also a focus, aiming to provide better recovery options for those affected.

Additionally, the state's initiatives, through agencies such as South Carolina Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services, focus on prevention and education. Community outreach programs are held to educate residents about the dangers of drug abuse and to promote healthy living and alternatives to drug use in the Parker community.

Local Drug Busts & News in Parker, SC

Parker, SC, has recently seen an uptick in local drug busts, reflecting broader concerns within the community about illegal substances. Law enforcement agencies have intensified their efforts, resulting in several significant operations targeting major suppliers and distributors. These efforts are part of a collaborative initiative with state authorities to dismantle the growing networks that contribute to local drug problems.

The Parker Police Department recently announced the successful conclusion of a major operation in the area, leading to the arrests of individuals associated with methamphetamine distribution. This operation was the culmination of several months of investigative work, with officers gathering intelligence to trace the supply lines and apprehend multiple suspects involved in the trafficking activities.

The increase in drug-related incidents has also prompted community leaders in Parker to organize educational workshops aimed at preventing youth involvement with drugs. These initiatives are essential in raising awareness about the dangers of drug use, offering local residents valuable information on identifying warning signs and seeking help for those in need. Such efforts are part of a broader attempt to combat the pervasive effects of drug abuse in the area.

Occupational Health Services

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

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Resources & Citations

South Carolina Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services

The Phoenix Center

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Prisma Health

CARF International

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