Redmond O’Neal Arrested On Drugs, Weapons Charges

If you ever doubt the powerful hold addiction can have over a person, the young life of Redmond O’Neal, son of actors Ryan O’Neal and the late Farrah Fawcett, proves a tragic case study. The 26-year-old was arrested again in early August 2011 on drug-related charges.

This most recent arrest took place in Santa Monica, according to RadarOnline.com, when police pulled O’Neal over for running a red light. After searching his vehicle, they allegedly found heroin in the car. Apparently, police already had their eye on him, after they witnessed an argument O’Neal was part of in a local store. They followed him after he got in his car, and pulled him over following the alleged traffic violation.

It hasn’t even been a year since O’Neal graduated from a court-ordered treatment program he was forced to attend for a pair of drug-related offenses, and how he’s back in jail, where he will remain until a hearing later this month. He has pleaded not guilty to felony heroin possession and the additional charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm, after police uncovered a 9mm handgun in a search of his apartment following his August 2 arrest. O’Neal faces nearly four years in prison if convicted, but Pintal said he is hopeful a judge will order him to receive additional treatment. We’ll find out on August 24 when O’Neal returns to court.

It’s a reminder to all of us just how fragile sobriety can be. While O’Neal seemed to stay out of trouble for several months after treatment, this latest trouble shows the risk is always there. It’s important to follow up treatment with the appropriate aftercare or outpatient programs and to always remain on guard.

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If you or someone you love is battling a drug addiction or is in need of heroin treatment, call La Paloma at our toll-free number. Someone is there to take your call 24 hours a day and answer any questions you have about drug treatment, financing or insurance.