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217 Today: School substance use prevention efforts are crucial. The question is how to do it

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In 2021, fentanyl was identified in more than three-quarters of adolescent overdose deaths, but experts say schools are slow to adapt their prevention efforts.
  • Photo: Bridgesward / Pixabay

Friday, March 15, 2024

Today’s headlines:

  • Illinois lawmakers want to create a new state agency focused on early childhood care.
  • An Illinois High School Association official says the rapid growth of girls wrestling is very encouraging as they prepare to add girls flag football as the next official sport.
  • An American man has been convicted by a German court and sentenced to life for the murder, rape and attempted murder of two Illinois women in Bavaria last June.
  • The Champaign Park District invites residents to gather for food and live music at the Springer Cultural Center in downtown Champaign.

In today’s deep dive, we’ll learn how substance use and overdose deaths continue to be a problem for young people. 

217 Today is produced by Stephanie Mosqueda. Reporting contributed by Mawa Iqbal, Ryan Denham, Lauren Warnecke, Elissa Eaton and Alex Li. 

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Stephanie Mosqueda

Stephanie Mosqueda is a senior majoring in journalism at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign with minors in Spanish and public relations. She is the 217 Today producer and a reporter for the Illinois Student Newsroom.