The pharmaceutical company Alkermes begins a clinical trial of Vivitrol, which is a drug that is used to treat opioid dependence, on incarcerated people who are about to be paroled in the state of Maryland.

Over a period of 6 months, Vivitrol is injected monthly into people who are scheduled for release. Out of 27 people paroled, many will have serious adverse effects including anaphylactic reactions, gastrointestinal disorders and urinary tract infections, to name a few.

Although Vivitrol has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the testing has been limited.

Alkermes also lobbies criminal justice policymakers, group homes, correctional facilities, and court judges to make Vivitrol the only addiction treatment available to pre-release or released incarcerated people, which raises ethical questions about the drug's use and the company's profit-driven priorities.