Ryan O’Neal and his son, Redmond, were charged Wednesday with possession of methamphetamine.

Both face felony drug possession charges, deputy district attorney James Garrison said. Redmond O’Neal, 23, also faces misdemeanor charges for possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of pepper spray.

He and his 67-year-old actor father are scheduled to be arraigned Nov. 13.

The father and son were arrested Sept. 17 after deputies searched their Malibu home, part of Redmond’s probation. Police said drugs were found on Redmond and in Ryan O’Neal’s living area.

Ryan O’Neal’s attorney said the drugs did not belong to his client.

“It’s unfortunate because Ryan O’Neal didn’t possess methamphetamine, doesn’t use methamphetamine and it wasn’t his methamphetamine,” attorney Mark Werksman said. “He never should have been prosecuted for this. We intend to vigorously challenge these charges in court, where they should be dismissed.”

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And so it goes, this generational pattern of living, evidenced in the lives of a father and son. 

As with so many families with whom I work, the addictive nature is something that has come before. It is not an anomaly. Addiction is a family disease - and while this definition comes to light in different ways, this Father/Son connection is one seen frequently.

How in the world did it come to this? Father and son, in a place called home, with meth as the third family member present. This problem, this behavior, this addiction, will not go away on its’ own. The cycle can be broken, new behavior learned and broken spirits, restored.

At the end of your rope is hope.

- Brad