Redmond O'Neal sent to drug rehab

O'Neal faces jail if he fails the drug programme

Redmond O'Neal, the son of actors Farrah Fawcett and Ryan O'Neal, has been admitted into a court drug programme to avoid a jail sentence.

The 24-year-old has been arrested on several occasions in the past year for drug possession and driving under the influence of drugs.

The year-long programme includes court appearances and frequent drug tests.

If O'Neal relapses or fails the programme, he will face several years in prison for two drug convictions.

Court officials told him if he successfully completes the programme, any open drug cases against him will be dropped.

He was told by court officials he had "an opportunity to change your life" by entering the programme in Los Angeles.

Mother's illness

O'Neal has been in custody since 5 April when he was arrested on a heroin possession charge while he was free on bail for a previous drug conviction. He has pleaded not guilty to charges filed in that case.

The arrest coincided with the hospitalisation of Fawcett, 62, who is suffering from cancer.

O'Neal was allowed out of prison briefly this week to visit his ailing mother.

Ryan O'Neal was ordered to go on an 18-month rehabilitation programme in January after pleading guilty to possessing drugs, following a police search of his Malibu home in September last year.