Pitiable as some narcotics addicts (3)
I believe the answer is:
sad
'pitiable' is the definition.
(thesaurus)
'some narcotics addicts' is the wordplay.
'some' indicates the answer is hidden within the clue (some of the parts of the word are used).
'SAD' can be found hidden inside 'narcotics addicts'.
'as' is the link.
(Other definitions for sad that I've seen before include "Heavy-hearted" , "Effect of winter darkness" , "Doleful" , "A form of depression in winter, initially" , "Deplorable" .)