The ALERT Communities Act authorizes federal funding and support for fentanyl and xylazine test strips as tools to prevent overdose deaths. The bill allows grants under the existing State and Tribal Opioid Response program to be used for purchasing these test strips where legal, and it requires first responders and community organizations to receive training on carrying and distributing them. The Secretary of Health and Human Services must develop research and marketing frameworks to help manufacturers create and improve test strip technology, and the bill also mandates a two-year study to measure whether test strip availability and usage affect overdose rates, deaths, and treatment engagement, with results to be reported to Congress. This bipartisan legislation (introduced by Senator Hassan and co-sponsored by Senator Cornyn) targets communities struggling with opioid addiction by expanding access to drug-checking supplies.
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