ALERT Communities Act

This bill requires first responders and community sector members to receive training on carrying and distributing fentanyl and xylazine test strips. It directs the Health and Human Services Secretary to create public frameworks for developing and evaluating these test strips, including standards for manufacturers and pathways for clinical use. The bill also mandates a two-year study on how drug checking supplies affect overdose rates, overdose deaths, and treatment engagement, with a report to Congress afterward. The law directly affects first responders, community health organizations, and test strip manufacturers by establishing new training requirements and research standards. It focuses on practical tools to detect dangerous drugs in community settings.