You can't legislate behavior. As said, prohibition, drug laws, and capital punishment do nothing to change behaviors. But there is one exception.
California enacted a three-strikes law. A third felony carries a mandatory 25-year-to-life sentence. Since that law was enacted, when felons have two strikes, their parole officer advises them of the law. 95% of them now get out of jail, get a good education, and become model citizens.........
I crack myself up.
Culture, culture, culture. The zeitgeist of a country is what drives behavior. Not laws.