Drug Testing Locations - Phoenix, AZ

Drug Testing in Phoenix, AZ

Phoenix, Arizona Statistics

Maricopa County reported a 36% increase in opioid-related deaths in 2021 compared to previous years.

Phoenix saw a 25% rise in methamphetamine seizures by law enforcement agencies in 2022.

In 2021, Maricopa County recorded over 1,700 drug overdose deaths.

Phoenix's emergency departments noted a 40% increase in drug overdose-related visits in 2022.

In 2022, fentanyl was involved in approximately 70% of drug overdoses in Maricopa County.

Phoenix police reported a 30% increase in drug-related arrests 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 Phoenix, AZ & Drug Testing Policies

Employers in Phoenix, AZ, are increasingly adopting stringent drug testing policies to ensure a safe and productive work environment. Companies are aligning with state laws that support random drug testing, especially in industries like transportation and public safety. More about state laws can be found at the Arizona Department of Labor Arizona DOL.

Some employers also provide support programs like Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) to address potential substance abuse among employees. Detailed guidelines can be accessed through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration SAMHSA.

Government Efforts with Drug Problems in Phoenix, AZ

The government of Phoenix, along with Maricopa County, is actively working to address drug-related issues through various initiatives. The Phoenix Police Department Phoenix Police collaborates with federal agencies like the DEA DEA to curb the supply of illegal drugs.

Local health departments provide resources and support for addiction treatment, while state efforts include initiatives from the Arizona Department of Health Services AZDHS focusing on public education and prevention efforts to reduce substance abuse in Phoenix.

Local Drug Busts & News in Phoenix, AZ

Recently, Phoenix law enforcement conducted a significant operation to combat the rising drug issues in the city. Numerous arrests were made in connection with a trafficking ring believed to be distributing methamphetamine and fentanyl across the region. This operation not only led to numerous arrests but also the seizure of a substantial amount of illegal substances worth millions of dollars.

The Phoenix Police Department has been working closely with neighboring counties to address the uptick in drug-related activities. Efforts were concentrated around known hot spots to curtail the circulation of dangerous drugs. Community awareness programs were simultaneously launched to educate residents on recognizing and reporting suspicious activities related to narcotics distribution.

In a recent development, federal agencies collaborated with local authorities to dismantle a major syndicate that stretched clear connections to cartels south of the border. This bust was a result of months of surveillance and undercover operations, highlighting the extensive network local criminal outfits have developed over time, affecting the broader Phoenix community.

Authorities have emphasized the importance of community involvement in addressing drug problems. Public tips have proven invaluable in several operations, demonstrating the collective effort required to resolve such widespread issues. Law enforcement urged residents to remain vigilant, creating a stronger frontline defense against ongoing drug trafficking and its associated crimes.

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