They're not sure exactly how ritalin works, but somehow it allows some kids to focus more clearly on the task at hand. There are millions of kids on ritalin today -- and at younger and younger ages. Nobody really knows the long term effects. Same with prozac.
The more advanced we get the more screwed up society is getting. It's because we are allowing psuedo-human engineering to take over. Maybe you aren't old enough but drugs aren't new, giving young kids designer drugs is. I was pretty hyper when I was a kid and so were a few other people in my class, Im glad I wasn't forced to take prozak or ritalin because I know what drugs do a person from recreational use. They change who you are, usually for the worse if you take them long enough.