Michael Douglas Calls Son's Sentence "Adequate"

Michael Douglas believes his son's five-year sentence for dealing drugs could be a lifesaver, he said Monday on NBC television, describing the prison term as "adequate."

Douglas expressed hope that incarceration would give 31-year-old Cameron Douglas the time he needs to kick the drug habit that has plagued him since he was 13.

"He was going to be dead or somebody was going to kill him," Douglas said. "My son was a drug dealer, and he tried to kill himself for a while, and I can't condone his behavior."

Last month, a judge sentenced Cameron Douglas to five years for dealing methamphetamine from a trendy Manhattan hotel.

"It's going to take that amount of time for him to rebuild and start himself afresh," Douglas said.

Douglas said his son's spirit is good but added that the past year's imprisonment awaiting a sentence has been "really, really difficult."

"With all the mistakes and the disease that Cameron has, he is a great young man," Douglas said, "and I wouldn't be supporting him if I didn't feel that way."

The 65-year-old Oscar winner has accepted a major portion of the blame for his son's problems, describing himself as an absentee father during Cameron's youth too concerned with building his career.

Asked what advice he'd give to other parents whose children might fall prey to drugs, Douglas said, "You have to catch it early. Your options once your children turn 18 are limited."

[erasmus111]

Michael Douglas had asked for leniency. It's one thing to be doing drugs, but quite another to be DEALING drugs. You get what you get.

[bundye]

Why did Michael Douglas wait so long to do anything about his son's addiction. He seems to know what was bothering his son and what he was into?

[FauxNews]

Now that he's in prison, he'll be able to get the good stuff.

[toldyouso21]

How unfortunate that this was not prevented by paying more attention to this man as who grew up. When parents are not available and do not adequately invest in keeping their children focused and busy on goals set and monitored by them--then children are more susceptible to the people around them--esp peers. When the kids your child hang around with deal or use drugs--it takes a tremendous amount of fortitude for most kids to not do drugs.

I was lucky. Of my 5 kids, to date, none (that I know of and that they will confess to) have done drugs. But I kept them busy, at home and in school and kept a tight control on who they associated with. It is not enough for people to be from the "right" social groups--there are jerks, and ne'er do wells in every class--you MUST keep the kids occupied and instill in them not only the hazards of drugs or wrong behavior but also how much of a lose/lose (and therefore loserville) endeavor drugs are.

That said--prison is NOT a place for rehabilitation. It is a place of rape, violence and drugs on a level not found in free society. Prisons are run by prisoners and managed by Guards and the Warden. There are hierarchies and those who go in usually come out more predatory and asocial than when they entered. Even the lowest con who may have been a victim on the 'inside' often views all civvies as even more weak and as victims.

A few do rise above the prison lifestyle, most do not--because once in the system the system feeds on itself often forcing ex cons to be informants (or threatening to frame them and send them back to jail) or they have to pay up on favors of protection --while inside.

And for the record Mike--drugs are readily available in prison, the currency just changes--look for your son to be more hardened, more scared, more bitter and possibly changed in more elemental ways if he is repeatedly raped. Prison scars for life--it is so sad your son ended up there--but hopefully, like you said--it is a wake up call. If nothing else brings home the reality of crime--Prison does.

[novamba]

this man is 31, not 11...he should know better. I hope he finds a better way to earn a living after the big house.