Waterford Council has granted planning permission for  a new residential rehabilitation centre in Clashmore, with a strong Christian ethos.

John Carlin, coordinator of the Refuge of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, a registered charity, joined Damien on Déise Today, where he explained what that facility will entail.

He explained that by the time clients come to the centre, they'll have already gone through a medically certified rehabilitation process. "They will essentially be as physically free of drugs as your or I," John told Damien.

John went on to explain that no drug intervention substances, such as methadone, will be on site.

He also spoke about the "huge drugs epidemic" in the country, adding that he doubts there's any parish unaffected, and that the facility in Clashmore will deal with the fallout of that epidemic.

Religious element of the centre

John confirmed to Damien that the Refuge of the Immaculate Heart of Mary has a similar facility in Italy, which led Damien to ask him about the religious element of the centre.

"Our ethos or motivation is Christian without a doubt...we believe in prayer, we're Catholic.. the people who come to us, they don't have to be religious.. we suggest that they pray, there's no onus on them," he told Damien.

Have a listen to John Carlin's full conversation with Damien on Déise Today. 

And for all Déise podcasts, click here.