"AOT is often defended as a humane alternative to forced commitment, with advocates claiming it is essential for public safety and improving health outcomes. However, these claims lack empirical support."
"The most rigorous experimental data indicates that expanding AOT is scientifically, fiscally, and ethically indefensible, ultimately detracting from necessary support for vulnerable residents."
Kendra's Law, enacted in New York in 1999, established Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT) as a means to mandate treatment for individuals with mental illness. AOT has become integral to the state's mental health system, particularly in New York City. Despite claims that AOT improves public safety and health outcomes, evidence does not support these assertions. Critics argue that AOT diverts attention and resources from more effective support for vulnerable populations, raising ethical concerns about its continuation and expansion.
Read at The Nation
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