The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 4 letter word DRYS
I've seen this crossword clue in Independent
D
R
Y
S
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "anti-drink folk" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case anti-drink folk = drys.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does DRYS mean?
DRYS noun- The process by which something is dried.
- A prohibitionist (of alcoholic beverages).
- (with "the") The dry season.
- An area of waterless country.
- (UK politics) A radical or hard-line Conservative; especially, one who supported the policies of British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher in the 1980s.