Crossword Genius

Difficult prisoner loudly taking drugs (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

confusing

'difficult' is the definition.

'prisoner loudly taking drugs' is the wordplay.
'prisoner' becomes 'con' (abbreviation for 'convict').
'loudly' becomes 'f' (short for forte - 'loud' in music).
'taking drugs' becomes 'using' (I've seen this before).
'con'+'f'+'using'='CONFUSING'

(Other definitions for confusing that I've seen before include "Perplexing, puzzling" , "Bewildering or perplexing" , "Muddling" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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