The actor himself has dealt with drug addiction; now his son has been caught.
Robert Downey Jr. has issued a sensible and understanding public statement after his son, Indio Falconer Downey, was arrested for cocaine possession. The 20 year-old was apprehended from a car after a traffic stop where he was spotted smoking a pipe, according to TMZ.
Sgt. Arballo of the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department confirms that police officers pulled the car and arrested Indio then charged him with possession of cocaine and drug paraphernalia around 2pm on Sunday afternoon (29th June). Indio was taken to jail but was released shortly after midnight after posting $10,000 bail.
Downey Jr. has struggled with heroin and cocaine addiction in the past but has reportedly been clean since successfully completing a court-ordered stint in rehab in 2002. Instead of refusing to speak to press on the matter as many embarrassed parents might, the actor issued a statement that illustrates his solidarity with his son as well as his understanding of drug abuse.
"Unfortunately there's a genetic component to addiction and Indio has likely inherited it," he told People on Monday. "Also, there is a lot of family support and understanding, and we're all determined to rally behind him and help him become the man he's capable of being. We're grateful to the Sheriff's department for their intervention, and believe Indio can be another recovery success story instead of a cautionary tale."
More: Robert Downey Jr. developing rehab TV drama.
Indio added his own words to the incident, saying "I'm sorry for what happened. I spent a strange time (sic) and I was not myself, thanks for your support and be close to me. i Love You," according to TMZ. His mother is actress and singer Deborah Falconer, who was married to the Iron Man star from 1992 to 2004.
More: Robert Downey Jr. & Robert Duvall have big problems in new drama, 'The Judge.'
This might not be the first time that Indio has been forced to deal with substance abuse. In October last year, the National Enquirer reported that the Kiss Kiss Bang Bang star had entered rehab to deal with prescription pill abuse.
His mother Deborah said at the time that "he was not addicted," adding that he "was taking one pill a day."
Robert Downey Jr.'s Son, Indio, Was Arrested For Cocaine Possession In L.A. Yesterday.
Indio & Downey Jr. Pictured Together In 2008.
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