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Michael Vera walked into a bedroom of a residential drug treatment program in Los Angeles in March to find its occupant slumped over on his bed and struggling to breathe, a homemade straw on the floor beside him and tinfoil with what appeared to be drug residue under his body.

This story also ran on Los Angeles Times. It can be republished for free.

The 35-year-old overdose victim had been out of custody less than 48 hours, in the midst of a frequently fatal danger zone: Individuals newly released from prison are 40 times as likely to die of opioid overdoses as members of the general population, researchers say.

But he was one of the lucky ones, because Vera was among tens of thousands of California inmates to receive training in overdose prevention and resuscitation when he was released from state prison in 2020. He was given two doses of Narcan to take with him, part of California prisons attempt to arm every departing inmate with overdose-reversal medication.

Vera and his roommate quickly summoned staff members. Paramedics administered two jolts of Narcan, a brand-name version of the drug naloxone. That stabilized the patient enough to get him to a hospital, where he soon recovered. Email Sign-Up

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More than 80% of inmates released in California between April 2020 and June 2022 departed with antidote kits and the training that goes with them, according to a January study by corrections officials. Acceptance has continued to grow, with 95% of departing inmates accepting Narcan in July 2022, the most recent month with data.

Now corrections officials are trying to determine whether the kits actually save lives by examining overdose rates among formerly incarcerated people. They are still gathering data and have no timeline for results, though their report calls the evaluation effort “a critical priority.” Officials are also looking at whether the program can help address health inequity issues, since overdose death rates are higher in lower-income areas, where parolees often live, and occur disproportionately among racial minorities and people with disabilities.

At the same time, California Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, is looking to cut the cost and boost the supply of opioid antidotes by having the state produce them itself. Currently, federal grants and legal settlements with opioid vendors fund most of the Narcan for departing inmates, but officials said the state did have to buy 1,180 kits for $62.40 each. In 2020, California began offering kits containing two doses of Narcan and information on how to use it to every departing prison inmate. Education and Narcan is key. Its not a perfect solution, but its a damn good one, said Mark Malone, director of administration at Fred Brown Recovery Services. (Alessandra Bergamin / KFF Health News) Narcan, a common form of the antidote naloxone, is kept in the kitchen first-aid kit at Fred Brown Recovery Services. At the instruction of a 911 operator, staff rushed to retrieve Narcan from the box amid a potentially fatal overdose. (Alessandra Bergamin / KFF Health News)

This is an extremely serious problem, said Lynn Wenger of the nonprofit research institute RTI International. As people leave jail and prison, their tolerance for opioids is very low and the stress of release is high.

Wenger is the lead author of a 2019 study of a naloxone distribution program at the San Francisco County Jail, where over a four-year period nearly one-third of inmates who were equipped with the drug upon release reported reversing an overdose.

California officials estimate that some two-thirds of inmates in the state have a substance abuse problem, fed by smuggled contraband. That statistic tracks with national estimates. A new program to administer anti-craving medications like methadone to incarcerated drug users has brought inmate overdose deaths down substantially over the past several years.

But parolee overdoses remain a huge problem.

The California report, quoting various studies, says people just released from incarceration are 40 times as likely to die of opioid overdoses as members of the general population, though estimates vary. Massachusetts put the death toll at 120 times as high, while a study using Washington state prison data put the risk at 12.7 times as high in the first two weeks. Research in Georgia, Maryland, Michigan, New Mexico, North Carolina, and Cook County (Chicago) all found significant connections.

Globally, overdoses are the top cause of death among people recently released from custody.

Its just so scary whats going on here, and were seeing it, said Mark Malone, director of administration at Fred Brown Recovery Services, a 40-year-old nonprofit in the Los Angeles neighborhood of San Pedro. Thats where Vera was getting addiction treatment when he helped save the overdose victim. With quick thinking, roommates Michael Vera and Agustin Pargas intervened amid a potentially fatal overdose. “It made me feel good to be able to save somebody, Vera said. He has a second chance now.” (Alessandra Bergamin / KFF Health News)

Research shows that formerly incarcerated drug users are especially vulnerable because their tolerance for opioids fades while they are behind bars and their social networks and medical care are disrupted, often including any substance abuse treatment they were receiving in prison. And if they use drugs once released, they often do so in solitude, where they are less likely to be found quickly if they overdose.

California offers departing inmates a kit containing two doses of Narcan, along with instructions on how to recognize and prevent overdoses, perform CPR, and administer the antidote.

Demian Johnson, who spent 35 years in prison for a second-degree murder he committed when he was 18 before being paroled in 2018, now helps formerly incarcerated people and others with substance abuse problems at Five Keys Schools and Programs, a San Francisco Bay Area nonprofit. He says two of his friends died soon after they were released from years of incarceration.

“It’s not hard for me to figure out why so many are succumbing to these really, really potent drugs, said Johnson, noting that what inmates obtain in prison is likely to be much less pure than what they would find outside.

One of Johnsons buddies died alone of fentanyl within a year of leaving prison.

He had nobody to save him, to bring him back or to issue him some Narcan, Johnson said. When Michael Vera was released from prison in 2020, he was shown a training video and given two doses of Narcan to take with him. (Alessandra Bergamin/KFF Health News) (Alessandra Bergamin / KFF Health News) At Fred Brown Recovery Services, a residential drug treatment program in San Pedro, California, Narcan is available in emergency boxes throughout the house. Because of increased overdoses in the last year, the treatment program has increased training and availability of Narcan. (Alessandra Bergamin / KFF Health News)

Wenger says the California program is likely having benefits beyond helping those recently paroled: They can use the Narcan to save others, too.

They are often released to neighborhoods where they are likely to encounter someone who is experiencing an opioid overdose & will have the tools to reverse an overdose, she said in an email.

That was the case with Vera, who said he was particularly glad to be able to help someone because he lost a 21-year-old niece and 24-year-old nephew to overdoses around the time he was released.

Vera said the paramedics told him they were just in time. “If we wouldn’t have found him, they don’t know what his outcome would have been but it would have been bad,” Vera said. He has a second chance now.”

This aticle was produced by KFF Health News, which publishes California Healthline, an editorially independent service of the California Health Care Foundation. Related Topics California Pharmaceuticals California Legislature Georgia Illinois Legislation Maryland Massachusetts Michigan New Mexico North Carolina Prescription Drugs Prison Health Care Contact Us Submit a Story Tip

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Environment

Prime Day-2 Green Deals: Anker SOLIX F3800 Plus, GE 2-in-1 washer/dryer, Lectric e-bikes, EcoFlow, Jackery, Aiper, Greenworks, more

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46 mins ago

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July 9, 2025

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Prime Day-2 Green Deals: Anker SOLIX F3800 Plus, GE 2-in-1 washer/dryer, Lectric e-bikes, EcoFlow, Jackery, Aiper, Greenworks, more

It’s the second day of the Prime Day seasonal savings and we’ve got another jam-packed edition of Green Deals focusing on some of the best discounts we’ve spotted so far, with all the others rounded up in our Prime Day Green Deals hub here, which is regularly being updated throughout the days, so be sure to check back often. Leading our top three picks today is Anker’s SOLIX F3800 Plus Portable Power Station and its bundle packages, which are seeing up to $7,994 in savings to new low prices starting from $2,564. Next, we have GE’s Smart Combo Electric Washer & Dryer with Ventless Heat Pump at its $1,750 low, as well as Lectric’s full Better Than Prime Day sale that is taking up to $654 off e-bike bundles starting from $799. All that and much more are waiting for you below.

Head below for other New Green Deals we’ve found today and, of course, Electrek’s best EV buying and leasing deals. Also, check out the new Electrek Tesla Shop for the best deals on Tesla accessories.

You can save up to $7,994 on Anker’s SOLIX F3800 Plus station + bundles at new low prices for Prime Day starting from $2,564

As part of its ongoing Prime Day Sale running through July 13, Anker SOLIX is dropping the prices lower than ever on its new F3800 Plus Portable Power Station starting at $2,564.05 shipped, after using the promo code PDSG5OFF at checkout for an extra 5% in savings – plus, you’ll be getting a free protective cover to boot! We saw this model drop from its $4,799 MSRP to hit a short-lived former $2,649 low in the brand’s early Prime Day sale, which is getting beaten out here by $85. It’s also beating out its current Amazon pricing of $2,699 (usually keeping between $2,999 and $3,899), with the combined 47% markdown here giving you a massive $2,235 in savings at the best new price that we have tracked. And don’t forget about all its bundle options we’ve collected below that are also down at new lows through the weekend.

Anker’s SOLIX F3800 Plus, as well as its standard F3800 predecessor, are the brand’s largest expanding backup units that start at a sizeable 3,840Wh LiFePO4 capacity, with further investments bolstering that capacity up to a 26,900Wh maximum (when six batteries are attached). It has 15 output port options to connect devices, appliances, and vehicles – with the latter being covered by the L14-30R and TT-30R ports for EVs and RVs. You’ll get up to a steady 6,000W power output normally, while it can surge as high as 9,000W when needed. That output even expands when two stations are paired together, raising the rate to 12,000W for home backup coverage.

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In terms of recharging, the F3800 Plus brings an additional method to the table with its 6,000W input it can receive from a gas generator, while its solar input max has increased to 3,200W (from 2,400W). Of course, there’s also the usual AC outlet charging and more to keep it juiced up and running.

***Note: these prices below haven’t had the extra savings factored in yet, so don’t forget to use the promo code PDSG5OFF at checkout to score the very best deals!

Anker SOLIX’s Prime Day F3800 Plus standard deals/bundles:

Anker’s SOLIX Prime Day F3800 Plus home backup bundles:

To also checkout the pricing on its standard F3800 counterpart and bundles, be sure to check out our full coverage here.

GE 2-in-1 smart combo electric washing machine and dryer

Save space or double up with GE’s 2-in-1 smart combo electric washer/ventless heat pump dryer at its $1,750 low

As part of its Black Friday in July Sale, which is running parallel to Amazon’s Prime Day Sale event, Best Buy is offering a returning low price on the GE Profile 4.8 Cubic-Foot Smart Combo Electric Washer & Dryer with Ventless Heat Pump down at $1,749.99 shipped, which is beating out the brand’s direct pricing by $249. While it usually goes for $2,900 at full price, at Best Buy it’s been more recently fetching $2,700, with discounts having kept the costs between $2,000 and $2,200 in 2025. The last time we saw prices fall this low was during Best Buy’s Black Friday sale, with this being the first time it showed up in the new year with $950 in savings at the best price we have tracked.

If you want to learn more about this unit, be sure to check out our original coverage of the deal here.

Lectric XPress 750 e-bike

Lectric’s Better Than Prime Sale offers up to $654 in free gear with e-bikes starting from $799

Lectric’s Better Than Prime Sale is in full swing with up to $654 discounts across its e-bike lineup, which includes the preorder deal on the new XP Trike2 and increased bundles on the new XP4 e-bikes. Sadly, if you were hoping to score the XPedition 2.0 Dual-Battery Long-Range Cargo e-bikes, they are out of stock following the July 4th sale, but the brand has since restocked another popular model, the XPress 750 Commuter e-bikes that come with $336 in free gear at $1,299 shipped. The bundles are the same as the last few sales we’ve seen, which would normally run you $1,635 in full were it not for the usual savings – not to mention the $200 off option for a spare battery to double its range (found on its landing page). All-in-all, you’ll be getting a steel-encased rear cargo rack, fenders to go over both tires, an Elite headlight upgrade, and a suspension seat post. Head below for more on this and the other models seeing savings during this limited-time event.

If you want to learn more about this model or get the full rundown of e-bike deals we’re seeing during this sale, be sure to check out our original coverage here.

EcoFlow Prime Day power station sale

Power outdoor adventures with EcoFlow’s stations and bundles at up to 62% off in Prime Day savings starting from $199

EcoFlow’s Prime Day Sale is in full swing and lasting through July 11 with up to 62% off its power stations and solar generator bundles – plus, there’s extra savings to score using the promo code EFPDAFF5 at checkout for an additional 5% off your order. Among the many units we’re seeing at some of their lowest rates, a notable standout to cover your trips into the wilds, jobsites, and emergency needs is the DELTA 2 Max Solar Generator bundle that comes with a 500W solar panel (4 x 125W) for $1,281.55 shipped, after using the promo code. This newer package would usually run you $2,699 at full price, with it only available directly from the site. At Amazon, the closest matching bundle you can find gives you the station with a 400W panel for $1,279, meaning you’re getting the brand’s largest portable panel for just $3 more. The combined 53% markdown here gives you $1,417 in savings at the best price we have tracked. Head below for more of the best deals we’re spotting during this sale.

If you want to learn more about this power station or get the full lineup of power station, solar generator bundles, and add-on accessory savings, be sure to check out our full coverage of the sale here.

Aiper Surfer S2 robotic solar pool skimmer

Let Aiper’s Surfer S2 robot worry about skimming your pool while being powered by the sun at new $280 low

As part of its ongoing Prime Day event, the official Aiper Amazon storefront is offering its popular Surfer S2 Robotic Solar Pool Skimmer at $279.99 shipped. It carries a $400 MSRP, but at Amazon, we’ve been seeing it keep down at $340 lately, with discounts usually taking things to $320, and one previous discount to $300 from last month. Today’s deal brings you a new all-time low, giving you $120 off its price tag for the best deal we have tracked.

If you want to learn more about this popular model, be sure to check out our full coverage of the deal here.

Jackery Prime Day power station sale

Jackery’s full Prime Day Sale with up to 65% discounts, bonus savings, free gifts, and more sees return and new lows from $89

Jackery has switched over to its full Prime Day Sale through July 11 with up to 65% discounts on power stations, solar generators, and more – plus, there are extra savings, limited stock free gifts, and membership benefits too. Among the offers this time around, we’re seeing returning and new low prices on Jackery’s new HomePower 3000 Portable Power Station and its bundle options, starting from the station on its own at $1,614.05 shipped, after using the promo code PRIME5 at checkout for an additional 5% off, which beats out the Amazon pricing by $85. This new model (also known as the Explorer 3000 v2) hit the market back in May carrying a full $2,499 price tag, and which discounts brought down to $1,699 for the first time during the early Prime Day Sale. That low price is returning here, with the extra 5% savings making things all the better for a second chance at the best pricing we have tracked, saving you $885 in the process.

If you want to learn more about this all-new power station, or browse the full lineup of deals we’re seeing during this sale, be sure to check out our full coverage here.

greenworks pro 2,700 psi electric pressure washer

Greenworks’ Pro-tier 2,700 PSI electric pressure washer falls to new $285 low for Prime Day, more

As part of its ongoing Prime Day deals event, Amazon is offering the Greenworks Pro 2,700 PSI Electric Pressure Washer at $284.99 shipped, which is beating out the brand’s direct pricing by $15. It normally fetches $400 at full price, with discounts having kept above $320 before this week. It fell to $300 at the beginning of Prime Day, but has since dropped lower to this new all-time low price. You’ll be saving $115 off the going rate while the savings last, upgrading your outdoor cleaning game at the best price to date.

If you want to learn more about this model’s capabilities, as well as browse the lineup of electric pressure washer deals we’re seeing, be sure to check out our original coverage here.

Best Summer EV deals!

Best new Green Deals landing this week

The savings this week are also continuing to a collection of other markdowns. To the same tune as the offers above, these all help you take a more energy-conscious approach to your routine. Winter means you can lock in even better off-season price cuts on electric tools for the lawn while saving on EVs and tons of other gear.

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Technology

Bitcoin rises to fresh record above $112,000, helped by Nvidia-led tech rally

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1 hour ago

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July 9, 2025

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Bitcoin rises to fresh record above 2,000, helped by Nvidia-led tech rally

The logo of the cryptocurrency Bitcoin can be seen on a coin in front of a Bitcoin chart.

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Bitcoin hit a fresh record on Wednesday afternoon as an Nvidia-led rally in equities helped push the price of the cryptocurrency higher into the stock market close.

The price of bitcoin was last up 1.9%, trading at $110,947.49, according to Coin Metrics. Just before 4:00 p.m. ET, it hit a high of $112,052.24, surpassing its May 22 record of $111,999.

The flagship cryptocurrency has been trading in a tight range for several weeks despite billions of dollars flowing into bitcoin exchange traded funds. Bitcoin purchases by public companies outpaced ETF inflows in the second quarter. Still, bitcoin is up just 2% in the past month.

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Bitcoin climbs above $112,000

On Wednesday, tech stocks rallied as Nvidia became the first company to briefly touch $4 trillion in market capitalization. In the same session, investors appeared to shrug off the latest tariff developments from President Donald Trump. The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite notched a record close.

While institutions broadly have embraced bitcoin’s “digital gold” narrative, it is still a risk asset that rises and falls alongside stocks depending on what’s driving investor sentiment. When the market is in risk-on mode and investors buy growth-oriented assets like tech stocks, bitcoin and crypto tend to rally with them.

Investors have been expecting bitcoin to reach new records in the second half of the year as corporate treasuries accelerate their bitcoin buying sprees and Congress gets closer to passing crypto legislation.

Don’t miss these cryptocurrency insights from CNBC Pro:

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Politics

Bitcoin soars to new all-time high above $112K as traders liquidate shorts

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2 hours ago

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July 9, 2025

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Bitcoin soars to new all-time high above 2K as traders liquidate shorts

Bitcoin soars to new all-time high above 2K as traders liquidate shorts

Bitcoin price roared to a new all-time high above $112,000. Cointelegraph explains why.

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