As students enter the school building, they are easy targets of peer pressure. Students may become involved in activities that are dangerous to themselves, or others, due to peer pressure.

     Drugs, including alcohol, are a major part of peer pressure. A research institute reports that about 30 percent of the teenagers are offered drugs in middle and high schools. The majority of teens consume their first drink of alcohol at the age of 13. The National Household Survey on drug use and health from the Department of Health and Human Services informs the public that 74. 3 percent of the high school students have tried alcohol. A large percentage of those who drink alcohol are also smokers. The American Lung Association points out that about 3. 1 million adolescents are smokers in the US. Almost 25 percent of teens between 17 and 18 are regular smokers.

     Peer pressure can affect the behavior, clothing choice, music and movie choice and even the personality. Academics can also be affected by peer influence.People can be affected by these factors and remain completely unaware of the changes in their lifestyle, but some people do realize when they are being pressured.Just by simply spending time with others, a person can become more like them.

   “If you are being pressured to do things that you know are wrong,” Sheats, a senior, said,“you should get out of that situation and tell a trusted adult.” For people to avoid becoming a victim of peer pressure, they must make their own decisions.Judgment of a situation based on one's morals is very important in peer pressure situations.“People,” Sheats added,“should follow their own hearts.”

　 Since I have been in my new neighborhood, I have had the pleasure of meeting a few of my neighbors.My  1  idea was to make small fruit baskets and leave them on each of my neighbors' front porches(门廊)the night of Christmas Eve for them to find. I2the cards:“Happy Holidays from 5104 Northumberland Road.”

        I 3the friendly lady for last, since I was still not exactly sure where she lived. I4decided upon a house down about where I met her each morning and felt relatively5that it was hers.

       This morning I noticed a small 6inside the mailbox.It was addressed simply—Resident, 5104 Northumberland Road. I opened the 7aand took out a thank­-you card.The8said,“Thank you for the lovely fruit basket you9on the porch of Richard Kelly. It was very10. Richard Kelly passed away half a month ago. He never stopped  11about how nice it was that someone rememberedhim in his time of 12. He really appreciated it.”

        I was sincerely 13. I had no idea who Richard Kelly was or that he had been gravely ill. I had left that14lady's basket on Mr Kelly's porch by 15. I wanted to say by mistake, but that would be wrong.I believe that Richard Kelly was16to have that basket. I hate that the lady did not get to17a fruit basket from me, but I believe that 18she knew what had happened, she would not have had the outcome any other way.

         I feel blessed to have helped Richard Kelly's last days be more19. This just further reinforces (加强)my belief that there are never any20 in life.

Notes：

①addressvt.(在信封或包裹上)写姓名地址　②appreciatevt. & vi.感激，感谢，鉴赏，欣赏，赏识