Crossword Genius

Reprimanded local runner for taking drugs to succeed in the end (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

carpeted

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

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

'local runner for taking drugs to succeed in the end' is the wordplay.
I cannot really understand how this works, but
'runner' could be 'r' (abbreviation for river) and 'r' is found within the answer.
'drugs' could be 'e' (somebody 'on E' could also be 'on drugs') and 'e' is found in the answer.
'the' could be 't' (the is pronounced as a 't' sound in some dialects) and 't' is found in the answer.
The remaining letters 'caped' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't see.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for carpeted that I've seen before include "hauled over the coals" , "provided with rug?" , "dressed down" , "With fitted rugs" , "Wigged" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Times.
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