Heal! Westport Pharmaceuticals and K9s4COPs Join Forces to Combat Illegal Meth-Labs
Creators of Zephrex-D®, the only highly meth-resistant pseudoephedrine nasal decongestant on the market, will sponsor training and re-deployment of combat "hero dogs" to assist local sheriff departments and school districts battle drug abuse.
ST. LOUIS, April 23, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- The abuse of methamphetamines is estimated to cost the US economy as much as $48 billion per year. In communities across America, illegal meth-labs are ruining lives, increasing crime and placing huge strains on local law enforcement agencies.
Today Westport announces a new initiative in the fight against meth-labs: a partnership with K9s4COPs to sponsor hero dogs, recently returned from active duty overseas, to be redeployed to assist local law enforcement departments and narcotics officers here in the US.
After graduating from training hero dogs and their partners will return to police departments and school districts in high meth-incidence counties in Indiana, Tennessee, Texas, Nebraska and Georgia. They will be assigned to assist in narcotics detection, as well as locating and apprehending criminals.
"Our mission is to provide K9s to police departments and school districts in need," said Kristi Schiller, Founding Chairman of K9s4COPs. "These dogs have been working hard to protect our troops overseas. We're so excited to partner with Westport to return them to active duty here in the US, helping to protect and serve local communities impacted by illegal meth-production."
Recognizing the damage being done to their own community from meth-production, Westport Pharmaceuticals developed Zephrex-D – the most highly meth-resistant pseudoephedrine nasal decongestant available. Zephrex-D contains Tarex®, patented meth-blocking technology, making it virtually impossible to 'hack' by illegal meth producers.
"We're proud to partner with K9s4COPs to help connect local law enforcement with trained narcotic detecting hero dogs. As an industry leader in 'good pharma' solutions such as meth-resistant medications, we have the technology and solution to help put the vast majority of domestic meth-labs out of business, save taxpayer dollars, and make our communities safer places to live in," said Paul Hemings, Westport's U.S. General Manager. "We're committed to healing individuals and communities any way we can. The only labs we support are those with four legs and a tail."
Captain Andrew Bremer of the Kimble, Nebraska Police Department had this to say: "We are the ones on the frontlines in the battle against illegal meth-labs. Everyday, we see the devastating impact of meth on families right here in our community. Our hero K9 will be invaluable to our department in our mission to get meth-labs out of town and put meth-producers out of business."
As part of this initial program, Westport is inviting people to follow training and suggest 'tags' for the newly trained hero dogs on the Zephrex-D Facebook page.
ABOUT WESTPORT
Westport Pharmaceuticals, LLC is a privately-held specialty pharmaceutical company located in St. Louis, MO that develops and markets next generation medicines that can't be hacked, so communities can focus on well-being.
ABOUT K9s4COPs
Our foundation was formed to address the need for funding the purchase of K9s for Law Enforcement Agencies.
Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150422/200555
SOURCE Westport Pharmaceuticals, LLC
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