The UK has the highest level of problem drug use and the second highest level of drug-related deaths in Europe, a report claims today.

The UK has the highest level of problem drug use and the second highest level of drug-related deaths in Europe, a report claims today.

Despite successive governments' attempts to control the demand for and supply of illegal drugs, drug policy appears to have had "minimal" impact on the overall level of use in the UK, according to its authors.

However, they do credit drug policy with succeeding in addressing certain illnesses and aspects of criminality associated with problematic drug use.

The report, by experts Professor Peter Reuter of Maryland University in the US and Alex Stevens of the European Institute of Social Services at Kent University, has been commissioned for today's launch of the independent UK Drug Policy Commission.

The commission aims to improve understanding of drug policy issues and the options for achieving a rational and effective response to the problems caused by the supply of and demand for illegal drugs'.

It brings together 12 experts drawn from the drug treatment and medical research fields along with senior figures from policing, public policy and the media.

Speaking ahead of today's launch, chairwoman Dame Ruth Runciman said: "We currently do not know enough about which elements of drug policy work, why they work and where they work well."

Marjorie Wallace, chief executive of the mental health charity Sane, said: "Cannabis, particularly skunk, is finally being recognised as having potentially devastating effects on the developing brains of some young people.

"Some 50% of 16-34 year-olds admit to using the drug, which means that if only a small proportion develop psychotic symptoms, there could still be a worrying increase in the number who may have to endure lifelong mental illness such as schizophrenia.

"We hope this new commission will be able to provide guidance so those potentially at risk and their families could be saved the anguish and heartbreak we hear about every day."