It is said that drugs provide freedom from pain and discomfort (4)
I believe the answer is:
ease
'it is said that drugs provide freedom from pain and discomfort' is the definition.
The definition suggests a singular noun which matches the answer.
'it is said that drugs' is the wordplay.
'it is said' indicates a 'sounds like' (homophone) clue.
'that drugs' becomes 'Es' (ecstasy tablets).
'es' sounds like 'EASE'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for ease that I've seen before include "Facilitate; repose" , "Freedom from pain or anxiety" , "Make comfortable" , "Comfort and repose" , "Relieve or slacken" .)