Anabolic steroids can weaken the body's defenses against viral infections and cancers, even at doses much lower than those used by cheating athletes. If weakened, viral diseases and tumors may find it easier to take hold in the body, potentially endangering those who take steroids for prolonged periods. Athletes have been using these drugs for a long time,” Dr. Weatherby said: “But now, for the first time, we have been able to show that anabolic-androgenic steroids have a seriously detrimental effect on a specific part of the immune system. » Steroids also have the ability to help you gain muscle and/or body fat. “There was a young man in high school named Chris Wash who managed to go from a big 180 pounder to a big, bulky 230 pounder with shoulders so big he could barely fit his backpack” (Alder) . The fact that athletes who use steroids are putting their careers on the line to get a better, stronger body with a drug is false. Steroids are organic compounds, they are natural or fatty substances that contain four fused rings. Most medications can take years to work, alcohol can take decades, but steroids only take a year. Steroids are illegal and focused on professional and Olympic athletes. Perhaps the most vulnerable users are high school students who are at frightening risk of side effects that could lead to death. Anabolic steroids have also been used by professional and college athletes to improve athletic abilities by increasing muscle size and strength. “A self-assessment questionnaire, allowing multiple answers to each question, was administered to 853 male students in six high schools. Results indicated that on average 11% had used or were using anabolic steroids” (Gilis). The fact is now known that more high school students believe it helps them build muscle and strength. They also take steroids to improve their performance. “Media accounts of young athletes committing suicide have recently attracted national attention (Stein). Therefore, most people who use steroids are under the age of 18 only to improve their muscles, strength and performance. Now knowing that young people who used steroids could not handle the steroid-induced events happening inside the body, they died. What people don't realize is that steroids don't make you stronger, they only make you bigger. Eventually they start to move away and kill you inside, and your muscles disappear unless you train every day for at least 4-5 hours a day. Many great young athletes die every day and do not have the chance to succeed in their lives because of the chemicals in steroids..