If it isn't a poison, why can it cause strokes and heart problems? Another med causes liver disease. Go to www.drdavestein.com and read his "recommended reading" page...the FDA is considering putting black box warnings on the meds. They wouldn't consider doing that if the meds were benign!
Everything is a poison if you take enough of it. Coffee can cause heart paplpitations and arythmias, many persons with ADD self medicate on these and other naturally occuring stimulants, sugars, caffeine, cigarettes, even illegal substances. For certain persons, IMHO, it is far better to change ones life for the better with measured and controlled doses of targeted medications then continue addictive behaviors and other less precise medications.
Obviously, it is also important to combine pharmeceutical therapy with more natural exercises that may help ADD such as yoga, meditation, exercise, neurofeedback etc...
And I dont have much respect for the FDA or the bureaucrats that reside there; I've looked at those studies and I believe all or nearly all involved children with existing congenital abnormallities.