This bill amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to establish new grant programs aimed at combating fentanyl poisonings. One program authorizes the Attorney General to award grants to State and local law enforcement agencies to combat the unlawful sale, marketing, or distribution of controlled substances, particularly fentanyl, using social media platforms. These grants would support arresting individuals involved in such sales and provide education and training to school personnel, clinicians, and the public on the dangers of ingesting counterfeit substances and recognizing online drug dealing methods. Another grant program authorizes funding for non-profit organizations to design and operate public education and awareness campaigns about the dangers of fentanyl, including providing transportation for families of victims to speak at events and creating educational materials. These funds can also support counseling services and provide naloxone and overdose reversal training, but explicitly exclude harm reduction services like substance abuse test kits or sterile injection supplies. A third program provides grants to State and local law enforcement agencies to equip and train officers at risk of fentanyl exposure, covering items like fentanyl test strips, detection equipment, naloxone, and related training. The bill reserves specific funding amounts for each of these grant categories, allocating $10,000,000 for social media enforcement, $3,000,000 for public awareness, and $2,000,000 for officer protection.
This bill amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to establish new grant programs aimed at combating fentanyl poisonings. One program authorizes the Attorney General to award grants to State and local law enforcement agencies to combat the unlawful sale, marketing, or distribution of controlled substances, particularly fentanyl, using social media platforms. These grants would support arresting individuals involved in such sales and provide education and training to school personnel, clinicians, and the public on the dangers of ingesting counterfeit substances and recognizing online drug dealing methods. Another grant program authorizes funding for non-profit organizations to design and operate public education and awareness campaigns about the dangers of fentanyl, including providing transportation for families of victims to speak at events and creating educational materials. These funds can also support counseling services and provide naloxone and overdose reversal training, but explicitly exclude harm reduction services like substance abuse test kits or sterile injection supplies. A third program provides grants to State and local law enforcement agencies to equip and train officers at risk of fentanyl exposure, covering items like fentanyl test strips, detection equipment, naloxone, and related training. The bill reserves specific funding amounts for each of these grant categories, allocating $10,000,000 for social media enforcement, $3,000,000 for public awareness, and $2,000,000 for officer protection.