I hear you Rick. Kim often would point these issues out when she worked at and for the Schools, transitioning from elementary, to Jr. High, to High School, with her job, at the same time our boys made these transitions.
IMO, and from what I've seen close up & personal, both with my Nephews, Nieces, and kids on my LL Teams. Were, Kids who were taking Ritalin, so often, (the Majority) IMO, Did NOT have ADHD or ADD. They had a problem with a lack of Love or attention from their parents, who had extremely poor parenting skills; IMO. Parents, who put themselves ahead of their kids, when it comes to fulfilling what it is, they wanted/needed in life, above their kids own needs.
As you said, to easy to give a kid a pill, due to a poor or negligent analysis by a Dr. I had more than my hands full of kids deemed "with special needs", many on Ritalin. Seemed at that era, it was the IN-Thing to do, to put your kid on Ritalin for simply showing any motivation to do anything. In other words, "oh their to high strung, and don't pay attention", well why would they pay attention, when 1st, the classroom material has been proven to be years behind their skill sets, and they need more of a Scholastic Challenge. 2nd- If only given a few moments a day, for a Parent to embrace their kids, tell them You Love them daily, you'd be amazed how different these types of kids grow up differently; often with a purpose in life, at early young ages.
I give Kids who are supposedly having ADHD, or ADD problems, no credit for having such a supposed physical/mental condition, they didn't ask for it, or create their condition for themselves. Rather it was already a chosen route for them, based on poor performances as Parents. Parents blow my mind, these days, how greedy they are with their time, and never if rarely put their kids goals, or needs, ahead of their own. Hell, those kids did not even choose their names, religions, no more than they chose their often mis-diagnosed- conditions. I guess just because a M.D. and not a Pyscho-Therapists says so, that cements the entire deal, of Bullshit...!
And=
Yep, I don't buy the bullshit defense of not knowing right from wrong, with persons who kill others, and get Life In Prison, what a cop out, or proof of our broken down judicial systems......its not just broken, its a effing joke, to the Hilts....!!!
