Teens tempted to use anabolic-androgenic steroids as a shortcut to improving their sports performance learn that these are extremely powerful drugs with some very dangerous side effects.

Readers discover that steroids are synthetic male sex hormones, which promote the growth of skeletal muscle and the development of male sexual characteristics. They are warned that other substances, such as DHEA taken for the same purposes as steroids, are just as dangerous and have no beneficial effect.

The potential harm from steroid use is detailed, including high blood pressure, heart palpitations, liver damage, cancer and hepatitis, aggressive violent behavior, depression and paranoia.

They are also warned that, with modern drug testing, users are almost certain to be caught and suspended or banned from their sport, and that if they do take steroids and quit, they will suffer terrible withdrawal effects and end up weaker than when they started!

For further research, readers are referred to In the Know Zone, Fox Pro Media's free drug abuse information website.