Adopt ESP on a small Tasmanian town (7)

I believe the answer is:

espouse

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'adopt' is the definition.
(synonyms)

I don't understand how the rest of the clue works.

(Other definitions for espouse that I've seen before include "Champion or support, as with a cause" , "Take on, a cause say" , "Embrace" , "Give support to, say a cause" , "See opus (anag)" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.

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