Here are some links that should help.

Ritalin: http://www.scn.org/~bk269/r-ball.html, http://www.breggin.com/ritalin.html, http://www.healthysource.com/ritalin.html, http://www.policyreview.org/apr99/eberstadt.html, http://www.docdiller.com/, http://www.usdoj.gov/dea/concern/ritalin.htm (Note: a US Department of Justice site that says Ritalin, "produces pharmacological effects similar to those of cocaine . . ."), http://www.massnews.com/vioboy.htm, http://www.salon.com/mwt/feature/2000/09/25/medicate/, http://www.drkoop.com/news/focus/september/ritalin_yes.html, http://jama.ama-assn.org/issues/v286n8/ffull/jmn0822-1.html, http://www.add-adhd.org/ritalin.html, http://www.usatoday.com/life/health/child/lhchi193.htm.

ADHD: http://www.thomasarmstrong.com/myth_add_adhd.htm, http://www.sunherb.com/myth_of_add_and_adhd.htm.

I've seen the list of "symptoms" for diagnosing ADHD, and all four of my kids exhibit virtually every single one of the "symptoms". What's now called ADHD used to be (and in every country but the USA is) called energetic and high spirited and the treatment has always been to simply deal with it. Learning to control that energy is what will make them a great person some day. Don't let some quack hung up on the latest fads in tabloid medicine take that away from your child. If the unionized teacher at the government school refuses to do her job unless your kid is drugged senseless, then find a teacher that will, or better yet do what I do and homeschool them. My kids are all at least one grade ahead and in some cases as much as four grades ahead. That's what happens when that energy is focused the right way.