A Waterford man who started a three-year prison term Wednesday for arranging a 2011 home invasion has a story that lawyers and judges say is becoming all too familiar in New London Superior Court.  

Matthew J. Hamler, 26, tried marijuana during his second semester in college. He moved on to Xanax and Percocet, and eventually his drug of choice became heroin, according to his attorney, Michael Blanchard.

On Aug. 3, 2011, he arranged for three men to break into a home at 64 Cross Lane and assault his former drug-dealing partner in retaliation for a marijuana transaction that had gone awry.

In December 2015, he pleaded guilty to first-degree burglary and conspiracy to commit second-degree assault.

"The defendant has no criminal history whatsoever and an extremely serious drug problem, which we're seeing more and more," said prosecutor Stephen M. Carney.

According to Blanchard, Hamler was hospitalized twice for overdosing on heroin, went through detoxification three times and had two stays in rehabilitation centers.

The ordeal tore his family "to pieces, an experience they would wish on no one," Blanchard said.

Judge Hillary B. Strackbein said she sees these cases every day.

"Heroin seems to do something that grips people, and nothing matters," she said. "Then you become involved in this behavior. This drug does nothing for you. It kills."  

She told Hamler, who has had numerous relapses, that he would have parole officers to help him stay on the "straight and narrow."

He will be on special parole for seven years and forbidden from using drugs or alcohol.  

Hamler, who wore gray sweatpants and sweatshirt to court knowing he would be entering the prison system, promised that despite "this unfortunate turn of events," he would be a productive member of society.

He hugged his attorney, waved goodbye to his visibly upset family and entered the courthouse lockup.

k.florin@theday.com

Twitter: @KFLORIN