Michael Douglas says his family’s fame and history of substance abuse helped drive his troubled son into drug addiction and crime, and the Academy Award-winning actor is asking a judge to show leniency toward him.

“I love my son, but I’m not blind to his actions. … I don’t want to see him break,” the actor told the federal judge in a handwritten letter made public Monday, on the eve of Cameron Douglas’ sentencing in a drug case.

The five-page letter, penned in an elegant script, joins others written to the court by Cameron Douglas’ high-profile supporters, including grandfather Kirk Douglas, stepmother Catherine Zeta-Jones and NBA executive Pat Riley.

Cameron Douglas, arrested in July at a Manhattan hotel, admitted in January that he dealt methamphetamine and cocaine. He pleaded guilty to a drug charge that carries a mandatory 10 years in prison, but his lawyers and supporters are arguing for less time.

A defense lawyer and Michael Douglas’ publicist didn’t immediately return telephone calls Monday evening; prosecutors declined to comment. To read the full story just click “HERE“