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Martin Sheen Recalls Battle To Stop Son's Drug Abuse

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: May 28, 2008

Martin Sheen became "fanatic" when his son Charlie was using drugs.

"When a life is at stake and it's your child, you become fearless in a lot of ways. I mean, you just become fanatic," the 67-year-old actor says in the July-August issue of AARP The Magazine. "Nothing ever gets done unless it's done by a fanatic."

Sheen, who portrayed fictional President Josiah Bartlet on NBC's "The West Wing," tells the magazine how he intervened to save his actor-son.

"The only way I got to Charlie, frankly, was because he'd skipped out of the hospital. I had to pay the bill," Sheen says. "In paying the bill, I got to see why he was in there. He'd consumed an illegal substance; he was on probation. ... This was a criminal matter. And so that was the wedge; that was the leverage I had. That is what I took to the court; that's what I took to the sheriff. It was the only way I got him."

The veteran TV and film star, who battled alcoholism himself, also turned to Alcoholics Anonymous to help his son.

"I got sober through Catholicism, through my faith," Sheen tells the magazine. "I only got involved with AA when I was trying desperately to find a way to help Charlie, because I didn't have any skills."

Sheen also talked about his career and politics, saying he doesn't plan to run for public office.

"I'm not qualified," he says. "It's crossed my ego. I feel like a public servant. I feel like a responsible citizen. But I couldn't do it professionally. I don't have the temperament."

Charlie Sheen, 42, stars in CBS' "Two and a Half Men."

'Idol' Winner Dating Former Contestant

David Cook says he's dating an "American Idol" alum.

The newly crowned "Idol" winner said Tuesday on "Live With Regis and Kelly" that he recently had a dinner date with former "Idol" contestant Kimberly Caldwell.

Cook, 25, said he met Caldwell through the show. When asked if he had a good time, Cook replied: "I did. We'll probably hang out again. So we'll see."

Caldwell, 26, appeared on the second season of the top-rated Fox singing competition.

Cook, from Blue Springs, Mo., defeated 17-year-old David Archuleta last week in a landslide victory. The rocker became the heartthrob of the seventh season around the time he restyled his hair and displayed more confidence onstage.

Today's Birthdays

Actress Carroll Baker is 77. Basketball Hall-of-Famer Jerry West is 70. Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani is 64. Singer Gladys Knight is 64. Singer Billy Vera is 64. Singer John Fogerty is 63. Actress-director Sondra Locke is 61. Rapper Chubb Rock is 40. Singer Kylie Minogue is 40. Television personality Elisabeth Hasselbeck ("The View") is 31. Pop singer Colbie Caillat is 23.

Source: The Associated Press

CORRECTIONS

It is the policy of The Tampa Tribune to correct all errors of fact. To report an error, call (813) 259-7600 or e-mail news@tampatrib.com.

CORRECTION: Yendry Diaz defected from Cuba during an Olympic-qualifying soccer tournament in Tampa. A photo caption in Tuesday's Nation/World section incorrectly described the tournament.

CORRECTION: H. David Werder is running for Congress in Florida's District 5. His last name was incorrect in Saturday's Nation/World section.

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