Ford to seek substance abuse treatment

(Update)

The world is watching the city of Toronto as Mayor Rob Ford takes a leave of absence saying in a statement “I need professional help.” The revelation comes after new reports surfaced Thursday night that there is a second crack cocaine video — taken this past Saturday. But that’s not all.

Here at Toronto City Hall they’re hoping this year long Rob Ford saga — or maybe nightmare — is finally over. Councillors and others in the city are hoping Ford carries through with his promise to go rehab and get some help.

Rob Ford packed his bag and left town early in the morning, saying nothing — with nobody saying where he was going or for how long. A suitcase was loaded into one of the cars with him, and a passport envelope was on the dash.

Earlier in a formal statement the mayor said he’s taking an immediate leave of absence to deal with his alcohol problem and the choices he’s made while drinking, with his lawyer saying Ford realizes he needs help with substance abuse and he’s going to get it.

The decision follows new pictures obtained by the Globe and Mail allegedly showing Ford using what looks like a crack pipe. The Globe says the pictures were taken early Saturday morning in Ford’s sister’s home.

And the Toronto Sun says it has audio tape of Ford in a drunken tirade of offensive and sexually suggestive remarks.

The tapes are the latest in a series that first started emerging in May last year with the notorious alleged crack-video, then another drunken tirade talking about killing.

The mayor saying all the time he had a drinking problem but not a drug problem. The tapes were notorious enough to get Ford a starring spot on American late night television.

Toronto City Councillor and mayoral candidate Karen Stintz — the one mentioned in the lastest tirade — says Ford’s comments are gross: “I was shocked and embarrassed when the reporter read those comments to me. Rob Ford has indicated he needs help and I hope he gets the help he needs.”

Ontario Conservative leader Tim Hudak was singled out in Ford’s comments about agreeing with gays: “He should check himself in and take care of his family first. I have nothing more to add to that.”

And the reaction is just about unanimous that it’s time for Ford to do something about his problems. Ford is taking a leave from his job but says he’s still mayor and still in the campaign to be re-elected this fall. As it stands nobody’s saying where he’s going for rehab. But there were reports he flew to Chicago Thursday. And he could go to just about anywhere in the states from there. At the same time, the police here are investigating those latest alleged crack pictures.