Toronto Mayor Rob Ford’s mother said she didn’t know her son, Rob, was so far down the path of substance abuse that he needed rehab until the moment he actually came out and announced to the world that he was taking a break from office to seek help.
“I had no idea it was as serious as it was,” Diane Ford said to CTV News. “But then he doesn’t live with me, so I don’t know what he does every minute of every day.”
Mr. Ford announced earlier this week that he was stepping aside from his campaign for re-election to get help for his alcohol problem. He made the announcement just hours after a newspaper reported on a newly emerged video of the mayor smoking crack cocaine — a video that’s different from the first one that emerged months ago of him allegedly engaged in the same activity.
Mr. Ford has said on prior occasions that he may have smoked crack, but that it was only due to his drunken stupor.
While stepping aside from the race, Mr. Ford said, CNN reported: “It’s not easy to be vulnerable, and this is one of the most difficult times in my life. I have a problem with alcohol and the choices I have made while under the influence, I have struggled with this for some time.”
Mr. Ford’s family, at least, is happy he’s going for help.
“As an older brother, I am relieved that Rob has faced his problems and has decided to seek professional help,” said Doug Ford Jr., a Toronto city council member, CNN reported. “This is not an easy thing for anyone to do, especially when you’re the mayor of the city.”
The latest video supposedly involves Mr. Ford smoking what a drug dealer said to local media was crack cocaine in a copper-colored pipe, and it was viewed by Globe and Mail reporters.
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
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