Tatum O'Neal Sentenced to Drug Program

Us Magazine - July 2, 2008 4:19 PM PDT
Story photo: Tatum O'Neal Sentenced to Drug ProgramUs Magazine
Tatum O'Neal pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct on Wednesday after trying to buy crack cocaine last month.

The actress, 44, was ordered to spend two half-day sessions in a drug treatment program and pay a $95 surcharge, the Associated Press reports.

If she meets those conditions when she returns to court September 4, her case will be dismissed.

O'Neal was arrested June 1 for trying to buy the drugs near her NYC apartment.

The former child star (and recovering addict) blamed her close relapse on the death of her 16-year-old Scottish terrier.

"I was going to my psychiatrist," she said. "I was doing everything I could do. I have the disease of alcoholism. It's lifelong. I treat it every day by going to my 12-step program."

The dog's death, she said, "triggered that my mother passed away [from addiction] in '98. My father [actor Ryan O'Neal] and I are estranged."

O'Neal -- who detailed her struggles with addiction in her 2004 memoir, A Paper Life, and completed rehab in 1996 -- thanked police for preventing her from relapsing.

"I'm still sober!" she insisted. "Just when I was about to change that and wreck my life, the cops came and saved me!"

"I'm eternally grateful, as sort of grim as the situation was, that I didn't get to do what my disease was telling me to do," she went on. "I'm still going to get my year on July 10!"



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  • Benjamin
    Girl you still got it going on. Who cares what other people think about what you do,they just haven't got caught at it yet. Once they got you in the spot light they just want to keep it there,so no one is looking at them.Everyone has a few vices in there life,so if you feel good about what you are doing just keep on doing it. Just aslong as is doesn't hurt anybody along the way.
    report abuseposted September 29, 2009 4:15 PM PDT
  • maddykeri
    Oh yah one more thing.Wouldn't that be nice to get another oscar.You are just as talented as the next one if you really want it you can do it.Put your energy into that.Think about what could be ahead for u.
    report abuseposted February 24, 2009 10:53 AM PST
  • maddykeri
    You have to give this woman credit she was brought up in a enviroment that is pretty much off limits for young girls.She was exposed to alot I believe.I read her book and its amazing what she has to deal with and she will have to deal with it for the rest of her life.Look at it like this we are a product and your streath within will make you realize that it is not your fault.Accept it great actres
    report abuseposted February 24, 2009 10:21 AM PST
  • maddykeri
    she should take up sky diving that will clear her head!
    report abuseposted November 24, 2008 2:07 PM PST
  • webbage
    Tatum: ask Jesus into your heart and ask Him, the only one who can, to help you get past this and move on with your life. keep on keeping on and go with God! blessings!
    report abuseposted September 22, 2008 10:45 PM PDT
  • bobeedean
    I am divorcing my husband who is a crack smoking jerk. I mean there is nothing more hurtful to a family than what crack will put them thru. I think that Tatum should really seek all the help she can get. It is a killer for the crackhead and the family. Tatum all crackheads lie all the time about everything. The police did not save you they just made it take a little longer to hit the pipe.
    report abuseposted July 9, 2008 2:55 PM PDT
  • voivoid
    so, she knows shes a alkie(yea) whatta bout that pesky crack problem she got bust on. Ryan, y arent you helping the 1 person who prolonged your career? Oh, hes prolly high too.
    report abuseposted July 8, 2008 2:26 PM PDT
  • Tallman
    unbelieveable! a celebrity crack whore! would would have thought!
    report abuseposted July 5, 2008 7:04 PM PDT
  • repogeo
    Good luck.God could and would if sought.
    report abuseposted July 5, 2008 6:33 AM PDT
  • sox fan
    What a double standard, Just because she had a couple of hit movies in the 70's, she still get treated better than the rest of us. Come on!!!! Everyday people get screwed hard then this on lesser charges. Come on get real she a has been, Buttermaker would be ashamed.
    report abuseposted July 5, 2008 2:23 AM PDT
comments 1-10 of 20  |< newest · < newer · older > · oldest >| 

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