But was that reduction in use a result of Prohibition or of the moralistic anti-drinking attitude that was prevalent at the time?
Even if Prohibition itself was responsible for the reduction in drinking, we must consider whether the overall effect on society was worth it. This effect included an enormous increase in organized crime, murders and other types of violence, and widespread corruption. American society as a whole decided that no, it was not worth it, and repealed Prohibition.
The effect of the current war on drugs is arguably much, much worse than Prohibition ever was.
I recommend reading the article. It has compelling alternate hypotheses for the increase in crime. It also broaches the topic of the 'war on drugs', though I don't recall that it makes any useful comparison of modern 'harm minimization' strategies and prohibition.
Even if Prohibition itself was responsible for the reduction in drinking, we must consider whether the overall effect on society was worth it. This effect included an enormous increase in organized crime, murders and other types of violence, and widespread corruption. American society as a whole decided that no, it was not worth it, and repealed Prohibition.
The effect of the current war on drugs is arguably much, much worse than Prohibition ever was.