Last Updated on: 4th September 2019, 03:22 pm
Rob Ford to take break, get help for substance abuse: lawyer
When I say good luck, I really do mean it. The guy may be a total shitbag for reasons too numerous to mention, but on a purely human level it’s no fun to watch a person battle things that have so clearly gotten out of his control. Sure there are fun aspects to it (Did somebody say please post that camera video again?), but far too often there’s only one way that stories like this end.
I just hope that he’s doing this for the right reasons, getting help because he wants to rather than because it finally looks like a good PR move or because he knows something heavy is coming and he wants to save face by going on his own instead of having some court somewhere send him. If he’s not doing it for his own sake, odds are it’s not going to stick and we’re going to be right back where we started, if not worse.
The announcement came as both the Sun and the Globe and Mail published fresh allegations about the mayor.
The Globe said two of its reporters viewed a new video of Ford smoking what the newspaper said was described as crack cocaine by a self-professed drug dealer. The Globe said the video was secretly filmed in Ford’s sister’s basement early Saturday morning.
Meanwhile, the Sun reported it obtained an audio recording of the mayor “being unruly as he’s ordering booze” and making “lewd comments” about one of his election rivals at a west Toronto bar.
Here’s what Ford had to say in a statement last night.
It’s not easy to be vulnerable and this is one of the most difficult times in my life,” Ford said in a statement.
“I have a problem with alcohol, and the choices I have made while under the influence. I have struggled with this for some time.”
He said he had taken some time “to think about his own well-being, how to best serve the people of Toronto and what is in the best interests of my family,” and had decided to take a leave of absence.
“I have tried to deal with these issues by myself over the past year. I know that I need professional help and I am now 100 per cent committed to getting myself right.”
In Ford’s statement, he said he loves the people of Toronto and hopes that they will continue to stand by him.
“With the support of my family, friends, professionals and the people of Toronto, I will conquer this,” he said.
“Please keep me and my family in your prayers during these difficult days ahead. I just want to say to the people of Toronto that I thank you for your ongoing support and encouragement. I cannot tell you enough how much I appreciate it.”
And because it’s nice to remember the good times, here’s that camera video again.
