Bill > S2919

This bill, known as the Advancing Lifesaving Efforts with Rapid Test strips for Communities Act (or the ALERT Communities Act), aims to address the growing issue of fentanyl and xylazine adulteration in drugs. The key provisions of the bill include: 1) Amending the 21st Century Cures Act to allow grant funds to be used for the purchase of fentanyl or xylazine test strips, which can help identify the presence of these substances in drugs. 2) Requiring first responder training on the use and facilitation of access to these test strips. 3) Directing the Department of Health and Human Services to develop research and marketing frameworks for the development and evaluation of test strip technology. 4) Requiring a study on the impact of the availability, accessibility, and usage of drug checking supplies, including test strips, on overdose frequency, overdose deaths, and substance use disorder treatment engagement. The bill also defines the term "test strip" to include rapid response, single-use diagnostics that can detect the adulteration of drugs with substances like fentanyl, xylazine, or other synthetic opioids.