Drug Testing Locations - Lakewood, NJ

Drug Testing in Lakewood, NJ

Lakewood, New Jersey Statistics

In 2019, Ocean County, home to Lakewood, NJ, reported 138 drug-related deaths.

Ocean County, where Lakewood is located, saw over 2,000 drug treatment admissions in 2020.

Lakewood had 405 cases of opioid prescriptions per 100,000 people in 2021.

In 2020, Ocean County was among the top five counties in NJ for opioid hospital visits.

The Ocean County Prosecutor's Office reported a 7% decrease in drug overdose deaths in 2022.

A 2021 study highlighted that Lakewood had an 18% increase in first-time drug offenders.

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 Lakewood, NJ & Drug Testing Policies

Employers in Lakewood, NJ, have implemented stringent drug testing policies to ensure a safe and productive work environment. These policies often require pre-employment testing as well as random drug screenings post-employment. New Jersey's department of labor provides guidelines for workplace safety and compliance.

Some larger employers in the Lakewood area also participate in the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration program, which educates employers and provides resources for creating drug-free workplaces. Employers recognize the importance of addressing substance abuse to maintain employee well-being and performance.

Government Efforts with Drug Problems in Lakewood, NJ

The government has initiated several measures to combat drug abuse in Lakewood, NJ. At the state level, resources such as the Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services provide support and treatment options. Ocean County coordinates efforts through programs aimed at prevention and education.

At the local level, Lakewood collaborates with state agencies to implement public awareness campaigns and strengthen community involvement in tackling substance abuse. These initiatives are supported by the New Jersey CARES program, focused on fighting addiction and saving lives.

Local Drug Busts & News in Lakewood, NJ

In recent months, Lakewood, NJ has witnessed a series of significant drug busts. Law enforcement agencies have intensified their efforts to curb the spread of illegal substances in the area. These operations have resulted in substantial seizures of narcotics, as well as the arrest of several individuals involved in the distribution network. These actions underscore the community’s commitment to address the ongoing drug crisis.

During one of the notable operations, a local task force discovered a large stash of heroin and cocaine hidden in a residential property. The bust followed a long-term investigation that included surveillance and collaboration with neighboring jurisdictions. The confiscated drugs are estimated to have a street value of several thousand dollars, highlighting the scale of the illegal activities taking place in Lakewood.

Community leaders and law enforcement officials in Lakewood have been working together to raise awareness about drug-related issues. Public forums and workshops have been organized to educate residents about the dangers of drug abuse and the importance of reporting suspicious activities to authorities. These initiatives play a crucial role in fostering a safer and more informed community.

Aside from law enforcement interventions, Lakewood has also focused on supporting recovery and rehabilitation for those affected by drug abuse. Local organizations provide resources and programs designed to assist individuals struggling with addiction. The community’s holistic approach, combining law enforcement and support services, reflects a comprehensive strategy to combat the drug problem effectively.

Occupational Health Services

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

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