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Used to be a delinquent, high on drugs (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

wasted

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'high on drugs' is the definition.
Both the answer and definition are adjectives. Perhaps you can see an association between them that I don't see?

'used to be a delinquent' is the wordplay.
'used to be' becomes 'was' (I've seen this before).
'a delinquent' becomes 'ted' (I've seen this in other clues).
'was'+'ted'='WASTED'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for wasted that I've seen before include "Dissipated; atrophied" , "Having lost weight through illness - dissipated?" , "Squandered or withered" , "Frittered away" , "Used up needlessly or weakened through illness" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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