Crossword Genius

Given narcotics, dealers start getting tough (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

drugged

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'given narcotics' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both related to consumption as well as being past participle verbs.
Maybe they are linked in a way I don't understand?

'dealers start getting tough' is the wordplay.
'dealers start' becomes 'd' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'getting' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'tough' becomes 'rugged' (similar in meaning).
'd'+'rugged'='DRUGGED'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for drugged that I've seen before include "knocked out" , "Anaesthetised" .)

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