. EPO is a natural protein that stimulates production of red blood cells, which carry oxygen. Taken as a supplement, it loads the blood with red cells and delivers more oxygen, permitting greater endurance. The downside to EPO is that excess red cells turn the blood gelatinous, forcing the heart to work harder. Some two-dozen heart-attack deaths have reportedly been linked to EPO use (Lemonick & Park, 1998). Human Growth Hormone (HGH) is not technically a drug. It is an artificial source of the natural hormone that promotes growth. The body is highly sensitive to HGH. A tiny increase at puberty accelerates the slow but steady rate of growth begun at birth. Natural production of too much growth hormone (a disease called acromegoly) leads to disfigurement and early death. Tampering with a "master control system" like HGH is potentially dangerous, especially in the young adult years when the body is so sensitive to it (Current Events 2000). Last but not least, probably the best-known performance booster out there, anabolic steroids. Researchers first developed steroids in the 1930s to rebuild and prevent the breakdown of body tissues from disease (Mishra, 1995). These hormones (testosterone) signal the body to pump out more amino acids. Like creatine, they permit muscles to recover faster from tough workouts. But the side effects include elevated cholesterol, uncontrollable outbursts of anger, acne, and possibly liver disease and cancer. Men can develop low sperm counts and women may grow hair on their faces, lose hair from their scalps, stop menstruating and see their breasts shrink (Lemonick & Park, 1998).
             Performance-enhancing drug abuse isn't limited to professional athletes. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, more than 500,000 teenagers-175,000 girls and 325,000 boys used steroids, in the past year alone (Current Events, 2000). Over half the teens that use steroids start before age 16, s...