I have two daughters one 5 and one 7, my five year old is on ritalin, luvox and focalin she has a severe case of adhd and ocd. My seven year old is on strattera for adhd. I had the same concerns when I started my youngest one on Ritilan when she was 4. I did all the research, I even saw where their was a post about Ritilan being a form of coccaine. I discussed this with her doctor she said its like any other medication if it's misbused and taken improperly it can be like coccaine, but if taken properly the way prescribed it is very safe. I know for my child this is the one that works the best. She's tried several types of medication. After, having lots of problems at preschool we had to try something so we gave ritilan a shot, and it really worked. I expected her to be like a zombie, but accordding to the doctor due to the severity of the adhd that's the reason she was still active. My oldest one was just recently diagnosed with adhd, she has more problems with concentration than hyerness the shes been taking strattera for almost three week so far you can not tell a difference, but I hope after a few more weeks it will work, because this is suppose to be one of the more saffest adhd medications, I know on my youngest we tried strattera and it did not work. The only side affect I do not like about the ritalin is the loss of appetite.