Crossword Genius

Getting tough, wanting drug reduced (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

crackdown

'getting tough' is the definition.
(cracking down on something is getting tough on it)

'wanting drug reduced' is the wordplay.
'wanting' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'drug' becomes 'crack' (crack is a kind of drug).
'reduced' becomes 'down'.
'crack'+'down' is 'CRACKDOWN'.

(Other definitions for crackdown that I've seen before include "Repressive action" , "getting tough" , "Firm action" , "Draconian measures" , "severe action" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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