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The growing number of stimulant prescriptions for minors is unethical and harmful to society. I. The harmful physical and mental side effects of stimulants make unnecessarily prescribing them to children unethical. A. Mental health problems often develop in youth medicated with amphetamines. 1. The potential for cocaine addiction doubles and children treated with stimulants are subject to increased risk of addiction, depression, and suicide, as well as psychosis and permanent biochemical imbalances. 2. John Murray in his 1998 article “Psychophysiological Aspects of Amphetamine-Methamphetamine Abuse,” discusses the addiction to stimulants which develops quickly, especially in children and those struggling with depression. (Murray, 1998) 3. According to Adriana Bobinchock and Laura Neves, authors of “Early Ritalin Exposure May Cause Long-Term Effects on the Brain” published December 2004, animals treated with stimulants show more evidence of a dysfunctional brain reward systems in adulthood. (Bobinchock and Neves, 2004) B. Physical health complications such as cardiovascular disease, seizures, tics, headaches, and stomachaches are results of the prevalent prescriptions for stimulants. 1. According to doctors Harvey Simon and David Zieve authors of “Risk of ADHD Medications” last updated January 2009, stimulant medication has been associated with sudden death in children. (Simon and Zieve, 2009) 2. The risks to health associated with amphetamine use at a young age cannot be understood by a child, nor can they understand alternatives. II. Stimulant alternatives to treating attention problems are healthier and offer long-term treatment. A. According to an October 2000 journal by Alexander Morton and Gwendolyn Stockton, in “Methylphenidate Abuse and Psychiatric Side Effects” despite the health risks the number of children diagnosed with ADHD has increased 2.5-fold in five years, 3-5% of kids are now believed to suffer from ADD or ADHD. (Morton and Stockton, 2000) B. Alternatives to powerful stimulants include exercise, diet, sleep, and therapy which improve the quality of life in the short term and long term. 1. According to David Kaminester, in “Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Methylphenidate: When Society Misunderstands Medicine” published in 1997, treatments have a short half-life of 2-3 hours and thus require multiple daily dosing which leads to tolerance. (Kaminester, 1997) 2. Long term use also greatly increases the potential for negative side effects such as amphetamine addiction, stroke, and cognitive problems. (Murray, 1998) III. Economic problems and environmental issues cannot be solved by prescribing stimulants. A. The quick-fix of prescribing students amphetamines only encourages a weaker and less effective educational system. B. Poverty in urban areas and the diminishing role of family values decreases motivation regardless of mental enhancement and spikes in prescriptions covered by Medicaid puts a strain on the tax payer.