Possession of small amounts of illegal drugs in Toronto should be decriminalized immediately.

So says the city’s medical officer of health in a recommendation contained in a report going to the city’s board of health next Monday.

Dr. Eileen de Villa’s plan is supported by Toronto’s police chief who, says decriminalization of simple drug possession, along with an increase in ”prevention, harm reduction and treatment services is a more effective way to address the public health and safety harms associated with substance abuse.”

In a statement, Mayor John Tory says he’s ”open to considering an alternative approach,” pointing out with 531 preventable overdose deaths last year, ”we must explore every option to save lives and to combat this growing crisis.”

Toronto would be just the second city to apply for an exemption under the law.

Vancouver’s already applied as has the province of B.C.

An exemption for Toronto would not require city council or provincial approval.