Toronto Mayor Rob Ford pauses before a mayoral election debate in Toronto
Toronto Mayor Rob Ford pauses before a mayoral election debate in TorontoReuters

Toronto mayor Rob Ford, who came under scrutiny of the international media for his drug use, took leave from his duties on Wednesday to enter a rehab facility to address his drug abuse issues.

It is not immediately known when Ford will return to public life, but his admission of using crack cocaine will affect his chances of re-election, and there are many who want Ford to quit politics altogether.

"Go and never come back," said John Parker, a member of the City Council who shares Ford's right-wing idea. "Things have gone too far," he added, according to the New York Times.

Ford's drug abuse came to light last May, when reports emerged of a video that showed the mayor smoking crack cocaine. The video was not been made public, but he has been termed a national embarrassment by several Canadians.

Videos of the mayor in several incoherent rants are aplenty online, but Ford has refused to give up his position as Toronto's mayor.

Meanwhile, speculations are rife that Ford's chance encounter with Justin Bieber during a wild night of drug-fueled partying might have something to do with the mayor's decision to seek treatment.

Reportedly, Bieber made fun of Ford's dependency on crack cocaine. "Did you bring any crack to smoke?" Bieber reportedly asked Ford, who was infuriated by the joke and had to be escorted back to his booth by security.

Interestingly, Ford had earlier supported Bieber when the singer was under constant criticism for his bad behavior.

"He's a young guy," Ford said in a January radio interview. "Think back to when you were 19 … At 19 years old, I wish I was [as] successful as he was."

Ford's drug abusing habit has since resulted in a number of memes that have become a rage on the Internet.

Check out some of the memes below.

[ED:VS]