“MY LIFE’S A WRECK — now the world is going to think I’m a thief AND a junkie!”
Winona Ryder uttered that anguished cry after discovering that a blistering probation report revealing she’s been abusing hardcore prescription painkillers was being made available to the press and public. The shocking report also contains allegations that she’s used heroin.
Although she tried to keep a brave face at her December 6 sentencing on shoplifting charges, Winona was outraged over the report, which her defense team had tried to keep sealed. Among the most damaging assertions in the report:
- Winona received 37 medications from 20 doctors between January 1996 and December 1998. On the day of her shoplifting arrest — Dec. 12, 2001 — she was carrying the strong painkiller Demerol, Diazepam, Vicoprofen. Vicodin, Percodan, Valium, Endocet (containing Oxycodone), morphine sulfate and a syringe.
- The actress used half a dozen names, including “Emily Thompson,” to get prescription drugs, many of them “highly addictive.”
- She was “shopping doctors” — seeing several doctors at the same time to obtain opium-derivative drugs.
- After her arrest, detectives on the case were besieged by calls reporting prior shoplifting incidents, and one caller claimed Winona had “a problem with heroin.”
- Another caller said Winona and a “famous female rock star” had stolen clothes from a fashion show.
- Winona told police she needed counseling and sleeping pills to cope with her traumatic breakup with her first boyfriend.
- A detective stated that Winona “has a drug problem” and he didn’t want to “find her slumped over in a car with a needle in her arm.”
But a source close to the “Girl, Interrupted” star declared: “After all this, Winona still believes she doesn’t have a drug problem. She still maintains that she injured a disc in her back while making the 1997 movie ‘Alien: Resurrection’ and has been taking prescription drugs to combat the pain.
“Winona agrees with her attorney Mark Geragos that she has a pain management problem. But those close to her insist she has a whopper of a painkiller addiction.”
The 31-year-old actress was sentenced to three years probation and 480 hours of community service and ordered into drug and psychological counseling.
She was also fined $3,700 and told to pay $6,355 to Saks Fifth Avenue for the items she shoplifted.
Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Elden Fox warned her sternly: “If you steal again, you will go to jail.”
Said the close source: “It was a real blow when the judge told her she would have to perform nearly three months of full-time community service. But most damaging to Winona was the news that the probation report documenting her drug use would be released to the public.
“Winona said she didn’t feel she could face anyone again now that everyone knew all her ‘secret stuff.’
“Winona’s Attorney Mark Geragos tried valiantly to get the probation report sealed but was unsuccessful.”
Winona’s publicist called the probation report “uncorroborated, unsubstantiated hearsay.”
Said the source: “Winona has her share of supporters. Longtime friend Robert Downey Jr., who has had his own harrowing battle with drugs, has already called. He told her, ‘I came back and so can you.’
“Winona lightened up for a moment at Robert’s positive words — and admitted she was still receiving script submissions for acting roles!”
