Cameron Douglas writes essay in prison on drug policy

Cameron Douglas, son of Michael Douglas, arrives at the premiere of the film "Ghosts of Girlfriends Past" in Los Angeles in this April 27, 2009 file photo. (AP / Chris Pizzello)

LOS ANGELES - Michael Douglas' son is speaking out from behind bars, calling for treatment rather than jail time for non-violent drug offenders.

Cameron Douglas wrote an essay published Tuesday by the Huffington Post that says United States laws impose tougher penalties on addicts than violent criminals. The 34-year-old is serving a 9 1/2-year prison sentence after various drug violations.

Douglas was first convicted in 2010 of selling methamphetamine, and a judge nearly doubled that sentence after he was found guilty of repeatedly breaking prison rules by arranging to get drugs.

Douglas writes that he "seem(s) to be trapped in a vicious cycle of relapse and repeat, as most addicts are." He says a long prison sentence without adequate treatment "does absolutely nothing but temporarily deter them from succumbing to their weakness."