New York ( CNN ) -- The son of actor Michael Douglas apologized to a federal judge before being sentenced to a five-year prison term Tuesday , promising to follow `` the true right path '' when released . Cameron Douglas , 31 , pleaded guilty to distributing large quantities of methamphetamine and cocaine in January . `` I apologize to the court for my decisions and actions that put me in front of you today , '' Douglas said in a trembling voice . He added , `` I have developed , in my mind , the idea that I want to take the right path , the true right path . '' U.S. District Judge Richard Berman rebuffed pleas by defense lawyers for a more lenient sentencing , telling the spectators that prison may be Douglas ' `` last chance . '' Cameron Douglas is the son of the two-time Academy Award winner and his first wife , Diandra Luker , both of whom attended the sentencing . As Cameron Douglas spoke , his mother was crying and his father appeared to be fighting back tears . Douglas , who was arrested in July 2009 at a Manhattan nightclub , asked Berman `` for opportunity to be a role model to my younger brothers and sisters . '' `` I believe , your honor , things will be different this time , '' he added . If given a second chance , he said , `` I will never squander that opportunity . '' Berman acknowledged that numerous letters sent on the defendant 's behalf by celebrities and others , but said some of the letters implied that he should not make an example of Douglas because he is the son of a famous actor . `` None acknowledged appropriately the numerous impacts to victims of society for dealing drugs , '' the judge said .
Cameron Douglas pleaded guilty in January to distributing meth and cocaine . Federal judge rebuffed pleas by defense lawyers for a more lenient sentencing . Douglas , 31 , was arrested in January 2009 at a New York nightclub . He is the son of actor Michael Douglas and his first wife , Diandra Luker .