The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 3 letter word GEN
I've seen this crossword clue in Financial Times
G
E
N
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "Dope" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case dope = gen.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does GEN mean?
GEN noun- Information
- Information about the location of a bird.
- Fan fiction that does not specifically focus on romance or sex.
- A member of the Gen Movement, a youth expression of the international Focolare Movement.
- A generator (device that converts mechanical to electrical energy).
- To generate using an automated process, especially a computer program.
- To genetically engineer.
- A shilling.
- A specific version of something in a chronological sequence.