The O’Neal Family: Proving There Is No Fun In Dysfunctional
Wow. Where does one start with this bunch? Let’s rewind back a couple of months to actress Tatum O’Neal’s arrest in New York City buying cocaine. She’s had a long history of substance abuse problems, dating back to her childhood, and has theorized that both nature and nurture has contributed to her ongoing struggle to stay clean. Tatum, for her part, said that getting busted by the police during this latest chapter saved her life and is still, as of this writing, sober and drug-free.
Not so, it would seem, for her father and half-brother. Redmond O’Neal, already on probation, was busted during a probation search. While the police were there, they busted dad Ryan O’Neal as well:
Ryan O’Neal and his son were arrested Wednesday morning after authorities said they found drugs at the actor’s Malibu home during a routine check associated with Redmond O’Neal’s probation.
Investigators suspect both men had methamphetamine, but the substances still need to be tested, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s spokesman Steve Whitmore said.
Los Angeles Sheriff’s deputies and probation officers went to O’Neal’s home for a routine check of Redmond O’Neal, who is serving three years of probation after pleading guilty in June to drug possession charges.
Whitmore said in addition to drugs that deputies suspect belong to Redmond O’Neal, deputies also found narcotics in Ryan O’Neal’s living area. Both men were released after posting $10,000 bail and could be charged with felony possession of narcotics.
And you will recall Ryan being arrested last year for firing off a “warning shot” at his other son Griffin after his son started swinging at him with a fireplace poker. Sounds like the fun never stops at Casa O’Neal.
I could make a really cheezy joke here about “the family that does drugs together, goes to jail together,” but I won’t, because this is no laughing matter. Cocaine is bad enough, meth will eff you up bad. That stuff is nothing to mess around with and makes people go totally off their nut…not to mention extremely difficult (although not impossible) to kick.
It puts me in mind of something I observed last night…we ran into a friend of my son’s at the store. While we were talking, the boy’s father walked up. I noticed the boy had a new, shiny tattoo on his arm, but didn’t say anything. When he left, I asked my son if it was real. My son said yes, and not only that but the dad had a matching one that he got at the same time. Now, this kid can’t be more than fifteen. I’m thinking, at what point does the phrase, “Hey, son, you want to get matching tattoos?” come up? The same with this particular scenario…”Hey, son, should we hide the meth in your room or mine?” Just when does one work that phrase into the conversation? But meth isn’t exactly known for making someone smarter.
I’m not trying to be funny, I think it is sad…parents are supposed to help their offspring, even adult ones, avoid things like this, not seemingly encourage it. I certainly hope that whatever demons continue to plague this family are exorcised soon. I can remember several years ago seeing photographs of a young Redmond with his parents, and thinking what a cute kid he was and what a nice family they made. I also remember Tatum as a young girl, cute and full of promise. And who can forget Love Story?
Sadly, it seems that this story is going to have just as sad an ending if something doesn’t change, and soon. I hope they can get the help they need to live their lives drug-free. It’s worth it, it really is.
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Well I know the O’Neals have had a struggle for so many years. It makes me sad to hear this news and see these pictures. I think back to one of my absolute favorite movies of all time…. Paper Moon which starred both Tatum and her Dad together. If you haven’t seen it…… run and rent it. If you have already seen it…… rent it again, you won’t be dissapointed.
I hope they can straighten out their lives, and fly right. And if Dad wants to continue to do drugs, then he should leave his son out of it. Why should one person ruin two lives? Espcially when his son has so many more precious years ahead of him. Just sad.
Comment by ITS ONLY A PAPER MOON — September 19, 2008 @ 7:46 am