Medications such as Ritalin and Dexedrine have been used for over 40 years and researched extensively. The prescribing physician and the parents need to monitor for any side effects, and typically these can be controlled by adjusting dosage or timing of administration. Other common fears are that medication will stunt growth, lead to drug addiction later on, or cause the person to be dependent on medication as adults. Yes - some will. I like to bring up a point made beautifully by Dr. Stephen Copps, however.
Kids abuse all kinds of things, from alcohol to glue to gasoline fumes.
Of course not. If substance abuse is a problem then it should be treated as a substance abuse problem, not a problem of ADD medication. Well, consider that many kids with ADHD are extremely active, don't listen well, get very emotional very quickly, get bored easily and can be very demanding, and have poor impulse control. Why don't we take a few questions. Humane, sensitive, thoughtful.