The  American Academy of Neurology has publicly denounced the use of popular drug
  stimulants for perceived focusing issues....


A March, 2013 press release warned, that such drugs are still untested on children and known to present serious long-term risks which may outweigh benefits for any but the most complex
and severe of professionally diagnosed ADHD cases.....*

" '.....There are alternatives to neuroenhancements available, including maintaining good sleep, nutrition, study habits and exercise regimens',  said Graf."
  
American Academy of Neurology Press Release March, 2013:
https://www.aan.com/PressRoom/Home/PressRelease/1163


There are still no long-term studies for the delayed effect of drugging young human brains.

However, ongoing animal research indicates permanent damage to working memory:
"University of Illinois psychology professor Joshua Gulley and his colleagues found that amphetamine
use during adolescence can lead to long-term impairments in memory..."  

"....these effects can persist well after drug use discontinues..."

http://news.illinois.edu/news/09/1021amphetamine.html
About Joshua Gulley:  http://www.psychology.illinois.edu/people/jgulley   
  
"...young animals exposed to amphetamines have hippocampal atrophy  and smaller brain size
in adulthood."    

 "...if drugs with these effects in animal studies were proposed today, they would be highly
unlikely to make it to the marketplace." 

http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/mood
About Nassir Ghaemi, M.D., M.P.H.:  http://www.psychologytoday.com/authors/dr-nassir-ghaemi

Some fairly common drug side effects are actually counterproductive to the  learning
process for many children: 

 --  insomnia / sleep deprivation ... dulls creativity, hurts test performance 
 --  nail biting ... distracts concentration 
 --  poor appetite ... inadequate nutrition for young, developing brain cells
 --  mood swings....disrupts family and social life, through no fault of the child


Sensitive children can detect their drugged behavior as 'different' from other kids,
and lose self-esteem.
'My friends always make fun of me for biting my nails' ;-( 
  

More parents and teachers are becoming aware of an unconscionable toll exacted
for those temporary, higher focusing levels during a few hours at school: 

   --  physical and emotional discomfort much of the rest of the time, 
   --  many serious health risks even with minimal prescription doses,
   --  a young developing brain can learn NOT to focus unless perpetually medicated.


One viable alternative to drugging kids for meeting today's school standards:

"Families are homeschooling ADHD and ADD children in increasing numbers. 
This growing trend shines light on the benefits of the homeschool environment
for children with attention deficient disorders...."

https://homeschool-curriculum.org/homeschooling-adhd/
About:  https://homeschool-curriculum.org/about/

* AAN is aware, parents are lying to doctors to get school-performance drugs...

March 2013 press release warned that these drugs are intended only for professionally-diagnosed,
very serious cases of ADHD where all safer alternatives have failed; long-term health risks persisting
after meds stop may still outweigh benefits.
 
 
Today's concerned parents are becoming more informed, opting for the safer, longer lasting
behavioral management options for attention focusing issues.