A 47-year-old Kennewick man told a judge he was ready to kick his drug habit while in prison.

Robert Wade Vantine was granted a shorter prison term and treatment after previously pleading guilty in Benton County Superior Court to delivery of methamphetamine and marijuana.

"I wish I wouldn't have been a drug addict," Vantine told Judge Craig Matheson. "I was doing drugs. I sure wish I had straightened up a little bit sooner."

There was no objection by prosecutors for Vantine to receive the special Drug Offender Sentencing Alternative, and defense attorney Scott Johnson said Vantine still would have a lengthy prison term to serve.

"My client's getting too old for this anymore and he knows that," Johnson said.

Vantine was arrested after a confidential informant working for the Tri-City Metro Drug Task Force bought meth and marijuana from him twice in September 2010, court documents said.

Matheson agreed to follow the recommendation and sentenced Vantine to three years and nine months in prison with drug treatment.

"It sounds like you're headed in the right direction," Matheson said. "This is a real opportunity for you to take care of that but, honestly, wishing won't do it. It will only happen with you deciding to do it."