Death leads Homer to face meth issue (Alaska)

BY MICHAEL ARMSTRONG
STAFF WRITER
The death of a young Homer woman from an apparent drug overdose last week has raised the question of how big a problem methamphetamines has become in Homer.

Bethany Woodworth, 19, died March 16 in Anchorage after being found unconscious and not breathing at a Lighthouse Village cabin on the Homer Spit.

Her parents, Julie and Shane Woodworth, said they hope their daughter didn’t die in vain and somebody can learn from their tragedy.

“I sure hope this helps some families out there,” Shane Woodworth said. “If there are any families out there going through rough things, or suspicious … we’re not experts, but we’ve lived through it.”

Police, social workers, school officials and families of meth users all said meth is prevalent on the lower Kenai Peninsula, and close to becoming a major problem.

“It’s rampant in town,” said Shane Woodworth. “That stuff isn’t a party thing. It’s an addictive killer.”

Homer Police Chief Mark Robl warned that Homer is at a turning point.

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