COURTNEY LOVE PLEADS NOT GUILTY TO DRUG CHARGES

Courtney Love pleaded not guilty Wednesday to two felony drug counts after
ridiculing the charges in a rambling monologue to reporters before the
court appearance.

The complaint against the 39-year-old singer-actress said she illegally
possessed two painkillers when she was treated at a hospital for an Oct. 2
overdose. The two painkillers, hydrocodone and oxycodone, can be prescribed
legally.

She called the charges "retarded."

"I didn't even break a law. I didn't even shoplift," Love said before the
hearing at Beverly Hills Municipal Court.

The drug charges stem from an incident last month that began with Love
allegedly trying to break into the Los Angeles home of her former
boyfriend. After her release, Beverly Hills police and paramedics were
called to Love's home and had to take her to a hospital for treatment of a
drug overdose.

Love's lawyer, William Genego, told The Associated Press that Love had not
intentionally overdosed but rather had taken the wrong medication by
mistake. Genego said Love turned over a bag of pills to police after they
were called to her home. The drug charges stem from Love not having a
prescription for three pills in the bag, Genego said.

Carrying her pet beagle, Molly, and a bouquet of red roses, Love rambled to
reporters Wednesday about missing money, an affair with a married man and
throwing a sleeping pill at a police officer.

"Don't tell," said Love, whose past heroin use was widely reported. "It's a
big secret I used to do drugs."

Judge Elden Fox scheduled a preliminary hearing for Dec. 11. He instructed
Love to meet Santa Monica probation officials to assess her suitability for
a drug diversion program.

If she is found eligible, Love could plead guilty, undergo counselling and
pay administrative fees, and her plea would be erased after two years, Fox
said.

Love complained to Gengeo during the hearing that potential court dates
conflicted with a planned trip to London, a video shoot and the Academy Awards.

"What is it we're continuing?" she asked at one point. "Do I have to live
in this weird hell?"

Love is the widow of Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain, who committed suicide in
1994. She received a Golden Globe nomination for her role in the 1996 movie
The People vs. Larry Flynt.