1. The author's claim is that binge drinking among youths has clearly and undisputably decreased over the years from 1980-2003 by roughly 1/3, yet with the media highlighting and exagurating specific events, it gives the false impression that binge drinking is on the rise, and causes easily influenced youth to believe that their peers often drink and so must they in order to conform.
2. The author's support for his claim is as follows: attacking the credibility of the media, student and world-wide surveys, examples of "binge drinking" in other countries, and statistisical evidence related to the above.
3. The author has a number of assumptions and underlying beliefs about this issue and broader related issues. It is quite obvious that the author is somewhat dissatisfied with media reports exaggurating the so called "binge drinking epidemic." He also believes that youth should be free to make their own decisions and not be persuaded by false media impressions. He believes that education and committment to academics and well being is important, especially for youth, and states that the underlying problem is media misrepresentation and false impressions aimed towards average or non-drinkers.
4. I believe that argument is overwhelmingly effective. It assesses both sides to some extent, but provides complete and comprehensive statistical evidence and surveys to paint a picture that binge drinking is in fact on the decline, and that media exemplification is causing youth to go into highschool and college with the impression that their peers are all drinkers. He provides an immediate solution to help correct that problem, that being to present all the facts truthfully.
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