Crossword Genius

Drug-taking experience embraced by shy youth (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

stripling

'youth' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'drug-taking experience embraced by shy' is the wordplay.
'drug-taking experience' becomes 'trip'.
'embraced by' indicates putting letters inside.
'shy' becomes 'sling' (I've seen this in other clues).
'trip' inserted within 'sling' is 'STRIPLING'.

(Other definitions for stripling that I've seen before include "Lad" , "Young boy" , "Youth" , "Young 'un" , "Young man" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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