Tatum O'Neal Grateful For Kids' Support

Troubled actress TATUM O'NEAL has credited her three children with ex-husband JOHN McENROE with giving her the support she needs to overcome her addiction problems.

The former child star was busted by New York police in a raid on Sunday (01Jun08) night, after she was caught buying cocaine from a man just three blocks from her family home.

The 44-year-old has been charged with seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, a misdemeanour offence, and has enrolled herself in a local Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) therapy group in a bid to remain sober.

And O'Neal - who chronicled her recovery from a heroin addiction in her 2004 book A Paper Life - admits she is grateful to have her children Kevin, 22; Sean, 20, and Emily, 17, behind her.

She tells U.S. news show Entertainment Tonight, "I've talked to all my kids. (They've been) very supportive."

O'Neal divorced former tennis champ McEnroe in 1992 after six years of marriage.

She is next due in court on 28 July (08).