Michael Douglas's Son Cameron Jailed Till 2015 for Drug Addiction and Dealing Crystal Meth

Oscar-winning actor Michael Douglas wrote an excruciatingly touching letter to New York Federal Judge, Richard Berman, ahead of his son Cameon's sentencing for drug dealing offences.

In the poignant letter he took much of the responsibility for Cameron's behaviour onto his own shoulders, saying Cameron had been a lone child raised in a bad marriage" (with ex-wife Diandra Luker.) He also acknowledged that Cameron is an adult and has to be accountable for his offences. Yet the feeling is that he felt he ought to say that - what really screamed through the 5-page handwritten letter is the voice of an anguished father yelling helplessly: "Please don't jail my son."

Because in this saga of talent, fame, drugs and jail, it's Michael Douglas and Diandra Luker who are hurting most, Michael Douglas and Diandra Luker who have become Cameron's victims.

Michael Douglas has shown his son time and time again that he's a loving father. He's absolutely right though that it's Cameron who's now responsible for Cameron's behaviour. He's no longer the lone boy in the bad marriage. Judge Berman, in contrast, seemed to view Cameron Douglas as still a child.

He said Michael Douglas and his ex-wife had been "distant, problematic and immature" parents when Cameron was small. He added: "While his family states..they are ready to step in in any way and do the right thing..they do not explain what has changed in their lives that would enable them to do things differently with Cameron today than they did before."

He spoke as though Douglas and Luker are still parenting a child. Rather than holding Cameron Douglas responsible for changing his behaviour, Berman - astonishingly - implies it's his parents who must "do things differently".

But Cameron's not a child any more. His parents can't go back in time and parent him differently. He has to take control of his life himself now he's an adult.

Catherone Zeta-Jones also seems to buy into Cameron-Douglas-as-kid. A mere eight years older than Cameron, she wrote to the judge too, praising Cameron as a wonderful stepson. The tone was maternal even though she's far closer in age to him than she is to her husband Michael Douglas.

Cameron Douglas is 31 years old. He's had more opportunities than most young men or women will ever experience. When he stumbled, repeatedly, he was given ample opportunity to get back on track. He's clearly much-loved by his family, his step-mother and step siblings. What he did with all that love and all those opportunities was become a drug addict and a drug dealer. When he was arrested in New York in July 2009 he was stocking $18,000 worth of crystal meth, a drug more addictive than cocaine. Cameron had chosen to profit from getting others addicted to it. He comes from a rich family, so he wasn't dealing drugs for the cash. Perhaps he was doing it to get attention from his famous, talented, hard-working father and grandfather. And perhaps he was punishing them for a sense of victimhood nursed since he was a child.

His grandfather Kirk Douglas, now 93, also wrote to Berman trying to help Cameron. At an age where he deserves to be peacefully surrounded by his family enjoying their love and attention, Kirk Douglas told the judge that his last wish is to see Cameron get his life back on track:

"Cameron was always a pleasant guy who cared for others. It was a surprise to me when he got in trouble. I am convinced that Cameron could be a fine actor and a person that cares for others. I hope I can see that happen before I die. I love Cameron."

It's interesting that he twice mentions his grandson caring for others. Hopefully Cameron Douglas will use his time in jail to shake off his sense of being neglected as a child. If he does, he may find his future is more positive once he can return the love and care shown him by his family rather than carrying on trying to punish them for the past.