Just over six months ago, in September 2008, Ryan O’Neal was arrested with his son Redmond for drug possession (read the previous post here). The younger O’Neal was arrested again today. For whatever reasons that must make sense only to him, he arrived at a Los Angeles jail to visit a friend - only to be caught with drugs during the routine process jail personnel conduct anytime a visitor arrives. What was he thinking?! He’s only twenty-four and has been arrested at least three times for dug possession. It appears serious jail time is the only remedy at this point. The judge set his bail at $25,000, but no one has bailed him out. It could have something to do with his mother’s health.
Farrah Fawcett underwent stem cell treatments for cancer that at one time had been in remission. She flew back to the States after having been in Germany while receiving these treatments only to be hospitalized and listed in critical condition. She has been unconscious for days. Although she and Redmond’s father, Ryan

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O’Neal, have been divorced for years, they’ve remained close. He’s rarely left her bedside but did attend the court hearing for their son. Redmond had been in rehab, but chose to leave when he heard how serious his mother’s health is. Hours later, he was arrested again for bringing the drugs into the jail (instead of being with his mother).
As his mother’s life hangs in the balance, his choice to do drugs could very well cost him the opportunity to be near her as she struggles for her life. If no one provides the bail money needed, he most surely will remain behind bars. As sad as it is, most keep coming back to the original question: ‘What was he thinking?’ And too, the debate over how to treat those charged with drug -related offenses rages on.
True enough, drugs are illegal and prisons across the country are overflowing with people convicted of every conceivable drug offense. And it’s also true the thousands of drug rehabilitation centers in this country are overflowing and have waiting lists of those wishing to get clean. In many ways, the very first time anyone chooses to use drugs makes him or her guilty of breaking the law. From there, it becomes less about breaking the law and more about becoming sick without the illegal substance. So should the laws punish the criminal or treat the patient?
This debate will continue long after Redmond O’Neal receives his punishment - or treatment -whatever the case may be. It’s just unfortunate that he isn’t where he’s supposed to be; and that’s next to his mother’s bedside.