Leif Garrett pleads no contest to heroin possession, entering rehab

Former 1970s heartthrob Leif Garrett pleaded no contest Friday (Oct. 15) to heroin possession and will enter a drug rehab program, reports the AP. Garrett was arrested back in February when authorities found him carrying heroin in a Los Angeles subway station.

The case could be dismissed if Garrett completes the terms of the rehab program within a year and a half. "I just think this is in everybody's best interests," said Garrett's attorney, Andrew Flier. He said he was proud of Garrett for entering the plea and recognizing that he needs additional treatment.

Garrett had modest singing hits in the late '70s and played recurring roles on ABC's "Family" and "The Odd Couple," but Garrett was perhaps more famous for his drug and alcohol abuse problems. In 1979, he crashed a car carrying his then-best friend Roland Winkler while drunk and under the influence of quaaludes. The accident left Winkler a paraplegic. Garrett is reportedly part of the next season of "Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew" on VH1.

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Photo credit: Getty Images, Los Angeles County Court