Jon Bon Jovi says daughter's overdose a 'tragedy'

Jon Bon Jovi spoke publicly for the first time Tuesday night about his daughter Stephanie Bongiovi's heroin overdose last week, calling it a "tragedy."

In an interview with Courtney Friel of Los Angeles TV station KTTV, the Songwriter Hall of Fame rocker, 50, offered his perspective, saying: "It's human. Y'know, I mean, what I do for a living seems glitzy and glamorous. If you don't take it too seriously, it's just a great way to make a living. And then life goes on, things happen. This tragedy was something that I had to face, too, so we'll get through it."

Bongiovi, 19, was arrested early Nov. 14 after police and a volunteer ambulance squad arrived at her Hamilton College dorm room, in Clinton, N.Y., responding to a report of a possible heroin overdose. Bongiovi, who recovered at a nearby hospital, was arrested along with fellow Hamilton student Ian Grant, 21. Both are from Red Bank, N.J., where Bon Jovi lives with his wife of 23 years, Dorothea Hurley, and their children.

The Oneida County District Attorney's Office dropped charges against both students the next day, because of a state law prohibiting prosecution for small amounts of drug possession by someone who has suffered an overdose or who has sought medical care for them.

"People's incredible warm wishes for my family and I have been really reassuring," Bon Jovi told KTTV "So, we're good. We're good."

He appeared on the TV station to promote "Stand Up Guys," starring Al Pacino, Christopher Walken and Alan Arkin,the first film since "Young Guns II" (1990) for which he has composed original songs.