As a central plank of illicit drugs control it is widely seen as having failed. The idea is that enforcement agencies seek to interdict supplies and prosecute suppliers. It is assumed that the resulting effect on the market will drive up prices, thus reducing consumption. UK Drugs legislation is draconian, and intended to be so. UK enforcement strategy is layered with different agencies being targetted at different areas of the market.
Research seems to indicate that price control is most effective at reducing overall consumption.
This is, however, a regressive form of control since it most strongly impacts upon the poorest sections of the community. Loosening of public house opening hours does not, on the other hand, seem to have a measurable effect. Easing European Union border controls has undermined all these measures. A significant increase in the number of people who drink cheap imported alcohol at home has damaged the public house business while cutting the real price of alcohol to consumers. Getting less people to try substances, or to at least to keep their substance use to a minimum, is a key goal in UK Government strategy.