It is estimated that around 9 million adults have ADHD.
https://www.forbes.com/health/mind/adhd-statistics/
But during COVID, rules were loosened about being able to diagnose ADHD by telehealth. The result was on the order of 2 million new prescriptions per year.
https://spanberger.house.gov/posts/spanberger-puts-more-pres...
It is also true that there are people being kept from a diagnosis because of drug seekers. But that just means that the drug seekers have to look around until they find a compliant doctor.
But hey. When I pick up my son's medication, I now have to show my driver's license. So at least we're catching the ones who shop around, find 5 compliant doctors, and then sell the extras on the black market!
(My son doesn't need medication picked up very often. Unfortunately for him, he can't tolerate the side effects of more than sporadic use. But he would struggle to get through major exams without it.)
The statistics that I quoted are real. This isn't a question of matching your perception of reality. It is a question of what is actually true.
The number of people prescribed ADHD medications is several times the estimated number of people with ADHD. I isn't hard to find people with questionable ADHD diagnoses. I already said that there are people with real diagnoses who struggle to get diagnosed properly. I'm sorry that you are one of them. My daughter happens to be another.
Oh, and here's another point from reality. ADHD is genetic. My son got it from me. I am also likely where he got his inability to tolerate regular use of Adderall. So the next time you find yourself struggling to get a prescription, reflect on how you are getting to temporarily experience a bit of the struggles that I live with.
Maybe that thought will help you to not jump to conclusions in the future.
Statistical arguments in general? I get a pretty good response. But there is a selection bias. I rarely bother interacting again with anyone who can't be convinced by data when they encounter it. (And conversely, I try to be convinced by data when I encounter it.)
You say this in such a matter of fact way. Doctors regularly gate-keep people with ADHD from a diagnosis because of drug seekers. You are speaking like a person with no experiences in the subject, and considering your original post we know you are not arguing in good faith here at all.