5.14.25 Washington Wednesday, World Tour, and struggling with a prescription drug addiction

Summary

The World and Everything In It – Episode 5.14.25 Summary

Release Date: May 14, 2025
Host: WORLD Radio
Title: Washington Wednesday, World Tour, and Struggling with a Prescription Drug Addiction

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I. Washington Wednesday: Budget Priorities and International Affairs

A. President Trump's Middle East Tour and Strategic Agreements

The episode opens with a comprehensive overview of President Donald Trump's recent diplomatic endeavors. Trump, alongside Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, signed several significant agreements during his first stop in Riyadh, marking the commencement of his week-long Middle East tour. Notably, a monumental $600 billion economic deal was solidified, accompanied by what the White House heralds as the "largest defense sales agreement in history," involving nearly $142 billion worth of weaponry provided to Saudi Arabia. Trump emphasized the strengthening of US-Saudi relations, stating, "We reaffirm this important bond and take the next steps to make our relationship closer, stronger and more powerful than ever before" [00:56].

B. Ukraine and the Ongoing Russo-Ukrainian Conflict

Shifting focus to Eastern Europe, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused Russia of executing a drone strike in Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, and attacking an energy facility. In response, Zelenskyy announced his planned trip to Turkey to engage in potential ceasefire negotiations with Russian President Vladimir Putin. However, Putin's participation remains uncertain, as indicated by Kremlin statements. U.S. State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott confirmed President Trump's commitment to facilitating these talks, with Trump hinting at the possibility of personally attending the Istanbul meeting if Putin agrees [01:00].

C. House Republicans' "Big Beautiful Bill" and Legislative Challenges

House Republicans are intensively working on President Trump's proposed budget bill, dubbed the "big beautiful bill," aimed at consolidating the administration’s top priorities into a single legislative package. This bill seeks to make permanent the 2017 tax cuts, eliminate taxes on tips, and bolster national and border security. GOP Senator Mike Lee highlighted the inclusion of the REINS Act, which aims to ensure that regulations receive congressional approval rather than solely relying on federal regulators [07:25]. However, Democrats express concern over potential welfare program cuts and accuse Republicans of favoring tax reductions for the wealthy. House Speaker Mike Johnson aims to advance the bill to the Senate by Memorial Day, but internal Republican disagreements, particularly on provisions like the SALT deduction cap increase, pose significant hurdles. New York Congressman Mike Lawler voiced strong opposition, stating, "This bill, as written with a $30,000 cap for those making under $400,000, ... will not have my support" [10:52].

II. Domestic Issues

A. New York City Launches Office to Combat Anti-Semitism

In response to a surge in anti-Semitic incidents and anti-Israel demonstrations, New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced the establishment of a pioneering office dedicated to combating anti-Semitism. Don Middleton, a spokesperson, emphasized the universal nature of combating hate, stating, "It's not a Jewish issue. It is all of our issue" [04:03]. The new office will create an interagency task force to monitor and address anti-Semitic activities, collaborating with the city's law department on relevant cases [04:38].

B. Planned Parenthood’s Rising Abortions vs. Declining Services

Planned Parenthood reported a record number of abortions in its latest fiscal year, performing over 402,000 procedures—nearly 10,000 more than the previous year. Contrastingly, the organization saw a significant decline in other essential services such as cancer screenings and prenatal care, with reductions exceeding 50% over the past decade [04:38]. Pro-life advocates criticize the allocation of federal funds, asserting that Intended for non-abortion services, the funds are effectively subsidizing abortion services. Kelsey Pritchard from Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America highlighted the discrepancy, "We almost got it done in 2017... but it fell short by one vote" [13:25].

C. Inflation Trends and Economic Insights

Benjamin Eicher reported that inflation continued to slow, with a modest increase of 2.3% in April compared to the same month last year, slightly down from March’s 2.4%. Additionally, grocery prices experienced the largest decline since 2020, dropping by 0.4% from March to April. Despite these positive indicators, economists caution that tariffs might influence future inflation rates [05:25].

III. World Tour

A. Nigeria’s Farmer-Herdsmen Violence

Reporter Onize Odua detailed the resurgence of violent conflicts in Nigeria’s Benue State, where clashes between farmers and Fulani herdsmen have resulted in at least 23 fatalities. U.S. officials have condemned these ongoing killings, and there is a pressing call for increased American support to address religious and ethnic violence. Vicki Hartzler from the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom expressed deep concern, noting, "Nigeria has unfortunately been a slaughtering house for people of faith for far too long" [16:10].

B. PKK Ceasefire in Turkey

In a significant development, the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) announced the cessation of its four-decade-long insurgency against the Turkish state. This announcement followed a party congress in northern Iraq, where calls to disband the group were reiterated by the PKK’s jailed leader. While Turkey welcomes the ceasefire, Kurdish fighters in Syria have stated that the agreement does not apply to their operations. Anwar El Anouni, EU Foreign Affairs spokesperson, urged all parties to engage in dialogue and reconciliation to achieve lasting peace [17:17].

C. Taliban Bans Chess in Afghanistan

In Kabul, the Taliban has prohibited chess, categorizing it as a form of gambling under Sharia law. Azizullah Gurzada, a café owner in Kabul, lamented the ban, highlighting chess’s role in fostering mental engagement and community among the youth. This move aligns with the Taliban’s recent restrictions on other sports deemed incompatible with their interpretation of Islamic law [17:47].

IV. San Diego Humane Society’s Record-Breaking Day

The San Diego Humane Society experienced an unprecedented intake of 274 animals in a single day, far exceeding their typical capacity of 60 to 100. The surge included 96 surrendered guinea pigs, 50 abandoned baby chicks, and an abandoned horse, compelling the shelter to operate beyond its limits. Nina Thompson, PR director, emphasized the community's critical role in supporting the overwhelmed facility: "Behind every rescue is a team stretched thin" [20:07].

V. Prescription Drug Addiction: The Benzodiazepine Crisis

A poignant segment delved into the struggles of benzodiazepine addiction, highlighting the story of Bob Martineau, who battled acute anxiety and long-term dependence on clonazepam (Klonopin) for two decades. Martineau's attempt to quit resulted in severe withdrawal symptoms, including convulsions and agoraphobia, illustrating the harrowing challenges faced by individuals striving to overcome addiction [22:09].

Expert Insights and Historical Context

Les Sillers provided historical context, tracing benzodiazepines back to their innovation in the 1950s as safer alternatives to barbiturates. However, over time, concerns about addiction and withdrawal emerged, leading to increased regulation. Bernard Silvernail from the Alliance for Benzodiazepine Best Practices noted, "Valium was like the sacrificial lamb... the crisis continued in a different form" [24:42].

Medical Community’s Response

Osteopathic physician Don Middleton, a former alcoholic, emphasized the necessity of addressing underlying personal issues beyond mere cessation of drug use. Middleton asserted, "Only Christ can provide the answer," advocating for a holistic approach to treatment that restores individuals’ sense of worth and purpose [26:18].

Ongoing Struggles and Future Outlook

Despite increased awareness and updated FDA warnings, many patients like Martineau continue to suffer long-term effects of benzodiazepine withdrawal, with some symptoms persisting for years. The persistent cycle of overprescription underscores the urgent need for more informed medical practices and comprehensive support systems [26:57].

VI. Commentary: The Impact of Mononymous Celebrity Branding

Janie B. Cheney offered a critical analysis of the rising trend of mononymous celebrities showcased at the Met Gala. She observed that the shift towards single-name brands—such as Adele and Zendaya—reflects a broader cultural emphasis on personal branding over traditional celebrity status. Cheney argued that this trend commodifies individuals, reducing them to mere brands rather than recognizing their inherent identities and heritage. She poignantly noted, "Names are bestowed at birth by someone else and we don't change them, we grow into them," highlighting the loss of personal and familial identity in favor of marketable personas [28:07].

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Conclusion

This episode of The World and Everything In It offers a multifaceted exploration of contemporary issues ranging from U.S. political maneuvers and international conflicts to pressing social concerns like anti-Semitism and drug addiction. Furthermore, it provides insightful commentary on cultural shifts within the celebrity landscape. Through in-depth reporting and expert analysis, WORLD Radio delivers a rich and engaging narrative designed to inform and inspire its listeners.

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For more detailed discussions and expert insights, listeners are encouraged to tune into the full episode of "The World and Everything In It" available on Apple Podcasts.

Transcript

[Myrna Brown]

Good morning. Congress is working on President Trump's budget priorities. Can they fit them all into one big, beautiful bill?

[Lindsay Mast]

That's ahead on Washington Wednesday. Also today, world tour and opioids are not the only troubling drugs spreading across the country. Those who try to get clean face an uphill battle.

[Benjamin Eicher]

And basically ended up in a catatonic state like so bad I couldn't even roll over to take a drink of water.

[Lindsay Mast]

And commentator Janie B. Cheney says there's a big difference between a good name and a commodity.

[Myrna Brown]

It's Wednesday, May 14th. This is the world and everything in it from Listener Supported World Radio. I'm Myrna Brown.

[Lindsay Mast]

And I'm Lindsay Mast. Good morning.

[Myrna Brown]

Up next, Kent Covington with today's news.

[Benjamin Eicher]

President Trump, seated next to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, signed multiple new agreements Tuesday in Riyadh on the first stop of his week long Middle east tour. Today we reaffirm this important bond and we take the next steps to make our relationship closer, stronger and more powerful than ever before. Among Those agreements, a $600 billion economic deal with Saudi Arabia. They also signed what the White House calls the largest defense sales agreement in history, in which the White House will provide nearly $142 billion worth of weapons to the Saudis. Trump also touted efforts to repair relations between the US And Syria. For the first time in more than a decade, I will be ordering the cessation of sanctions against Syria in order to give them a chance at greatness. He added that Secretary of State Marco Rubio will be meeting with the new Syrian foreign minister in Turkey later this week. Meantime, in Ukraine, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky yesterday accused Russia of conducting a drone strike in Kharkiv, Ukraine's second largest city. He also said Russia launched a separate attack on an energy facility. All of this comes as Zelenskyy said he will travel to Turkey tomorrow ahead of potential face to face ceasefire talks with Vladimir Putin. But it is not clear that Putin will show up. The Kremlin suggested the talks in Turkey this week, but the Russian leader never committed to attending the talks in person. U.S. state Department spokesman Tommy Pigott told reporters the president has also been clear that he wants to see those talks happen and he's been dedicated to trying to first get that ceasefire and then an enduring peace. Trump has suggested that he too may fly to Istanbul for the meeting if Putin agrees to meet with Zelensky. House Republicans launched marathon public hearings on Tuesday in a push to craft what President Trump has called his big beautiful bill that would be one bill to cover a number of the president's top priorities. The bill would make permanent Trump's 2017 tax cuts, remove taxes on tips, and fund national and border security. And GOP Senator Mike Lee says he's pushing to add a measure to the bill that will demand regulations be approved by Congress rather than federal regulators themselves. The REINS act, which we want to fit into this reconciliation measure so we can pass it with 51 votes in the Senate, would revolutionize the entire system by making the Constitution work again as it's supposed to. House Speaker Mike Johnson hopes to send the bill to the Senate by Memorial Day. Democrats fear possible cuts to welfare programs in the legislation and accuse Republicans of pushing tax cuts for the wealthy. New York City is opening a new office aimed at combating anti Semitism, Mayor Eric Adams told reporters Tuesday.

[Don Middleton]

This is the first office of its kind established in a major city in America, and let's be honest with ourselves, it's not a Jewish issue. It is all of our issue, as in any hate on a group is.

[Benjamin Eicher]

An issue that we all should address, he said. The Mayor's Office to combat Antisemitism will establish an interagency task force to identify and combat anti Semitism, monitor court cases and collaborate with the city's law department on appropriate cases to bring or join. The announcement follows anti Semitic incidents as well as anti Israel demonstrations on college campuses, including New York City's Columbia University. Planned Parenthood performed a record number of abortions in its most recent fiscal reporting year. World's Benjamin Eicher has more.

[Leo Braceno]

In its annual report, the abortion giant says it ended the lives of more than 402,000 unborn children in the fiscal year that ended in June of 2023. That's the most ever and nearly 10,000 more than the year before. At the same time, the group made just over 2,000 adoption referrals. That's one referral for every 187 abortions. The federal government sent about 800 million taxpayer dollars to Planned Parenthood that year. Those funds were earmarked for non abortion services, as federal law requires, but pro life groups call it a shell game. The report also reveals that while abortions were up, the group's other services like cancer screenings and prenatal care have all dropped, some by more than 50% over the last decade.

[Benjamin Eicher]

For World, I'm Benjamin Eicher, inflation slowed down once again in April. For the third month in a row, Labor Department says inflation inched up at the slowest pace in more than four years. Prices were up 2.3% last month as compared to April of last year. That was down slightly from the 2.4% in March. The US also saw the biggest drop in grocery prices since 2020, down 0.4% from March to April. Still, some economists expect that the effects of tariffs may show up in inflation numbers over the summer. I'm Kent Covington. And straight ahead, Washington Wednesday and the budget battle. Plus, a father and son fight to keep the family farm afloat after Hurricane Helene. This is the WORLD and Everything in it.

[Lindsay Mast]

It's Wednesday, the 4th, 14th of May. Glad to have you along for today's edition of the World and Everything In It. Good morning. I'm Lindsay Mast.

[Myrna Brown]

And I'm Myrna Brown. Time now for Washington Wednesday. President Donald Trump has begun the process of trying to set in stone many of the executive orders he signed since January. He's working with Congress to do that with the budget bill. Using a tool called reconciliation, Republicans have the ability to pass laws on board, border security, tax policy and spending cuts without any Democrat votes if the GOP can stick together.

[Lindsay Mast]

Here now with more about the top items is world's Washington bureau reporter Leo Braceno.

[Leo Braceno]

After approving a budget outline last month, lawmakers are now busy writing up the specifics.

[Benjamin Eicher]

The committee will come to order.

[Leo Braceno]

That's Congressman Jason Smith of Missouri.

[Benjamin Eicher]

Today, this committee will move forward, forward on President Trump's promise of delivering historic.

[Leo Braceno]

Tax relief for working families, farmers and small businesses. He chairs the House Ways and Means Committee, the body in charge of drafting the nation's laws on taxes. The one big beautiful bill is the key to making America great again. The committee worked late into the night in a markup hearing yesterday for that portion of Trump's legislative package. Over the past few weeks, each committee in the House of Representatives has been putting Trump's legislative priorities to paper. When the committees bring their portions together, the resulting bill will increase spending for areas like national security at the border and with defense, but also cut spending and taxes. The question is whether those three things will balance out or force the government to keep spending in the deficit. The easy part for Republicans is spending on the border. While illegal border crossings in April are down 88% from last year thanks to robust enforcement, Republicans want to boost spending on infrastructure and programs to keep it that way. I caught up with Tennessee Congressman Mark Green, chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, in the Capitol basement because the last.

[Benjamin Eicher]

Presidency failed to enforce any of the laws. So we need other systems in place that make it impossible for a future president like the last one. We had to violate the law and let millions of people into the country.

[Leo Braceno]

That's going to come down to investing in practical, tangible improvements. Congressman Michael Guest of Mississippi sits on the House Homeland Security Committee and is the chairman of its Border Security and Enforcement subcommittee.

[Benjamin Eicher]

A large percentage of that are facility related walls, border security, some additional physical facilities there on the border, the hiring of additional agents and technology. And I think those things are key now.

[Leo Braceno]

And even in spending increases, Guest says Republicans are looking for savings. While the boost to homeland security spending is significant, the committee's proposal unveiled earlier this month came in below the amount of last month's budget framework.

[Benjamin Eicher]

You know, we were authorized in the reconciliation instructions to spend up to 90 billion. We didn't spend that amount. We spent just over 69 billion. And so we, being the Homeland Security Committee, worked very closely with the administration to see exactly what they needed to make sure that we funded what they needed, but that we weren't funding things that were unnecessary.

[Leo Braceno]

Another big priority is more complicated delivering on tax cuts. The bill would make good on Trump's promise to cut taxes on tips and overtime pay. Here's Congressman Kevin Hearn of Oklahoma, a member of the Ways and Means Committee.

[Benjamin Eicher]

And we're going to pass the agenda.

[Les Sillers]

That President Trump won the presidency on, because if we don't, then we're not doing what the American people said they.

[Benjamin Eicher]

Wanted him to do, which is come make some changes.

[Leo Braceno]

But experts like Tax Policy Foundation Vice President Erica York say that adding new tax cuts could require scaling back the tax cuts from Trump's first administration. The 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs act cut taxes across the board for businesses and individuals. Lawmakers hope to renew those cuts, but in order to keep them from adding to the national deficit, they may need to limit the lifespan of at least some of them.

[Lindsay Mast]

When you shorten those provisions, when you don't make them permanent, businesses don't have the certainty they need to, like, actually step up their investment in a permanent way.

[Leo Braceno]

York says businesses with high building costs, like manufacturing and agriculture could bear the brunt when some of these tax extensions come to an end.

[Lindsay Mast]

It extends those provisions for five years, which may get you a little bit of activity in those initial years, but it's not going to get you permanently improved incentives for businesses to invest in the United States.

[Leo Braceno]

Another tax question lawmakers face is what will happen to the rules for how much individuals can deduct from their federal taxes by paying their state and local taxes, referred to as salt. In 2017, lawmakers capped salt deductions. High earning taxpayers can deduct only $10,000 from their federal taxes where they used to be able to deduct up to the full amount. The cap prevents individuals in high tax states from paying less federal taxes than individuals in low tax states. But lawmakers from states like New York and California want to remove or or at least raise that cap. The reconciliation bill would raise the cap to $30,000, although some lawmakers say that's not enough. Here's New York Congressman Mike Lawler on a podcast with Bloomberg News after the tax portion of the bill was unveiled on Monday evening. This bill, as written with a $30,000 cap for those making under 400,000, you know, is just woefully inadequate. And so, no, this does not have my support. It will not have my support. And if this bill comes to the floor for a vote, I will vote no. With Republicans only able to spare three votes, these kinds of disagreements threaten the whole bill. And then there's the question of how to pay for it. After all, in order to increase spending on defense and cut taxes, money has to be moved from somewhere. The challenge committees are working on now is what to cut. The Committee on Energy and Commerce proposes changing the rules for Medicaid in an attempt to find up to $880 billion in savings over 10 years. One of the proposed cuts would end funding for nonprofit organizations offering family planning or reproductive services alongside abortion. If that sounds really specific, that's because it is. While the provision is a broadside against abortion businesses generally, its main target is the nation's largest abortion provide.

[Lindsay Mast]

I mean, this would hugely impact Planned Parenthood.

[Leo Braceno]

That's Kelsey Pritchard, director of state public affairs for the group Susan B. Anthony, Pro Life America.

[Lindsay Mast]

We almost got it done in 2017 when it was a part of the repeal and replace Obamacare package.

[Leo Braceno]

That provision came to the Senate floor eight years ago, but fell short by one vote. Abortion supporters argue that Congress should not be concerned about Planned Parenthood's funding, since the federal law known as the Hyde Amendment prohibits federal dollars from directly funding ab. But Prichard says the dollars intended to help low income Americans get medical care are subsidizing an organization increasingly focused on abortions.

[Lindsay Mast]

Planned Parenthood's taxpayer funding has increased since 2010 by 43%, and during that same time frame, cancer screenings, breast exams, pap.

[Leo Braceno]

Smears have all dropped by more than 70%.

[Lindsay Mast]

Now there are top three services that are up, and the top three services that they provide are abortions, gender transitions and political spending on Democrats and woke.

[Leo Braceno]

Politics despite hesitations from some lawmakers, especially moderates from states like New York and California. Pritchard says Susan B. Anthony has been hard at work urging lawmakers in their offices to support the measure.

[Lindsay Mast]

We've gotten so close before and so.

[Leo Braceno]

Just the history of this also gives us confidence that we can get it done. This year, 11 House committees are working to put meat on the bones of Trump's legislative package for everything from agriculture to transportation. Leaders in both chambers aim to get the final legislation done around July 4th. The next big test for the bill and for Republicans in Congress will be getting it to the floor of the House of Representatives for a vote. Reporting for World I'm Leo Briseno in Washington, D.C.

[Benjamin Eicher]

Additional support comes from Ambassadors Impact Network, helping entrepreneurs with a purpose.

[Les Sillers]

Find the support they need to thrive.

[Benjamin Eicher]

With faith aligned financing options. [e-mail] and from Pensacola Christian College Academic Excellence Biblical Worldview Affordable Cost Go pcci. Edu World.

[Myrna Brown]

Coming up next on the World and Everything In It World Tour with our reporter in Africa, Onize Odua.

[Don Middleton]

We start today here in Nigeria, where weekend violence return to the farming communities in north central Benue state. Local officials said at least 23 people died in the attacks, blamed on armed Fulani herdsmen and another militia group. U.S. officials condemned the ongoing killings in Benway and elsewhere. During a hearing last week, former USAID chief advisor for International Religious Freedom called for more tangible American support. Saman Norquist noted past obstructions to supporting victims of religious violence. US Ambassadors often blocked initiatives to implement the administration's policies. Policies set by the president of the United States and reaffirmed by the secretary of State were ignored if those policies conflicted with their views or the host government's preferences. Another panelist at that hearing was Vicki Hartzler, a commissioner with the US Commission on International Religious Freedom. She expressed sadness over the persistent killings in the country and particularly during the Lent and Easter season.

[Janie B. Cheney]

Nigeria has unfortunately been a slaughtering house.

[Lindsay Mast]

For people of faith for far too long.

[Don Middleton]

Later, Hartzler told World that the commission this year again flagged Nigeria as a religious freedom violator, a designation that comes with sanctions and other penalties.

[Lindsay Mast]

Now there's a great opportunity for the.

[Janie B. Cheney]

Trump administration to come in and to.

[Lindsay Mast]

Follow up and to make these designations and to once again designate Nigeria as.

[Janie B. Cheney]

A country of particular concern.

[Don Middleton]

Next to Turkey, a militant group on Monday announced the end of its four decade insurgency against the state. The Kurdistan Workers party, known as PKK, began its uprising in 1984 as it sought an independent Kurdish state. The conflict has killed more than 40,000 people. Since Turkey and several Western nations have declared the PKK a terror group. Anwar El Anouni is the EU foreign affairs spokesperson.

[Leo Braceno]

We call on all parties to seize the moment and embark on an inclusive process based on dialogue and reconciliation. Finding a fair and lasting solution, respecting fundamental rights and the rule of law would not only benefit all Turkish citizens, but would also contribute to stability in.

[Don Middleton]

The entire the group said it would cease all military operations immediately. That follows a party congress in northern Iraq after the PKK's jailed leader called for the group to disband. In Turkey, salesman Abdul Hakim Daganer said he saw the happiness in people's faces after the announcement. He says here that the Kurdish people didn't really support the war war as he prayed that the peace process would continue. Turkey has said that disbanding should apply to all PKK affiliates, but Kurdish fighters in Syria have said any ceasefire does not apply to them. Finally, we end in Afghanistan, where the ruling Taliban has suspended the game of chess. A sports official on Sunday said the game is considered a form of gambling under Sharia law. Azizullah Gurzada runs a cafe in Kabul that hosts informal chess games. He says chess was a good mental game that brought many young people together and kept them busy. He adds here that other Islamic countries like Pakistan and Iran continue to partake in international chess tournaments. The Taliban has restricted other sports like mixed martial arts in recent years, citing similar incompatibilities with Sharia law. That's it for this week's world tour. Reporting for World I'm Onize Odua in Abuja, Nigeria.

[Lindsay Mast]

Well, the San Diego Humane Society had one wild day last week. Audio from KMFBTV San Diego There are.

[Leo Braceno]

A lot of emotions when you take in 274 animals in a single day.

[Lindsay Mast]

Nina Thompson, PR director A typical day sees 60 to 100 animals, but Thursday was anything but typical. First a planned intake of at risk animals. Then 96 guinea pigs surrendered by an overwhelmed owner. Next, a box of 50 baby chicks abandoned at a post office. A kind postal worker heard the peeps and got them to safety. But wait, there's more. Just before closing, an abandoned horse.

[Leo Braceno]

We do have to plan for housing and medical, but there was no option to wait.

[Lindsay Mast]

I bet add 28 kittens, 11 cats and five dogs, the shelter was packed.

[Leo Braceno]

It was an extraordinary day unlike any any other.

[Lindsay Mast]

Behind every rescue is a team stretched thin. If you've got the time, heart or hay to spare, this may be your moment to pony up. It's the world and everything in it. Today is Wednesday, May 14th. Thank you for turning to World Radio to help start your day. Good morning. I'm Lindsay Mast.

[Myrna Brown]

And I'm Myrna Brown. Coming next on the World and everything in it, prescription drug addiction. The problems associated with opioid addiction are well documented. But it's not the only prescription medication causing difficulty for patients.

[Lindsay Mast]

Benzodiazepines, commonly called benzos, are sedatives prescribed for anxiety, epilepsy and insomnia. Five years ago, the FDA cautioned that prescription guidelines for benzos do not provide adequate warnings about the risks of abuse, addiction and withdrawal reactions. Even so, Doctors wrote about 84 million prescriptions for the five most popular benzos in 2024.

[Myrna Brown]

Many experts say these drugs are generally safe when used properly and for no more than four weeks. But some people have been using them for much longer than that. Here's World's less sellers with the story.

[Les Sillers]

Bob Martineau had his first boat with acute anxiety when he was in his early 30s.

[Benjamin Eicher]

I had a panic attack out of nowhere while I was driving, and it felt like I was gonna die right there.

[Les Sillers]

His doctor prescribed clonazepam, better known as Klonopin. Martineau, who lives near Calgary, Alberta, took the drug for the next 20 years, and he still had problems with anxiety. But in the spring of 2024, he heard a podcast about the damage that long term benzodiazepine use can cause. So he decided to quit. The 53 year old executive went from three pills to none in about nine months. The withdrawal, he says, was brutal.

[Benjamin Eicher]

And I thought, what the heck is wrong with me? Like, what's wrong with me?

[Les Sillers]

Benzos were first developed in the 1950s. At the time, doctors and patients saw them as an improvement over barbiturates, a class of sedatives that affect the brain much like alcohol but have dangerous side effects. One of the first and most popular benzos hit the market in 1963. Valium was so popular, the Rolling Stones wrote a song entitled Mother's Little Helper. It's about a little yellow pill for housewives. The lyrics go, kids are different today. I hear every mother say, mother needs something today to calm her down. And though she's not really ill, there's a little yellow pill. But soon, scientists began to worry that long term use could lead to addiction and serious withdrawal symptoms. Some even called the drug opium of the masses. Beginning in 1979, Valium came under heavy criticism. Bernard Silvernail is president and CEO of the alliance for Benzodiazepine. Best practices.

[Leo Braceno]

So Valium was like the sacrificial lamb at that point. Instead, it dropped out of being the world's most prescribed drug because they said.

[Benjamin Eicher]

Oh, the Valium is no good, but.

[Leo Braceno]

All these other benzos are great.

[Benjamin Eicher]

The crisis just continued, but in a different form.

[Les Sillers]

Doctors continued to prescribe benzos like Klonopin, Ativan and other varieties. Through the 1990s and 2000s, the popularity of benzos fluctuated. But deaths involving benzos kept rising. One reason some users were buying the drugs off the street. But most users, like Bob Martineau, had prescriptions. Last year, he tried to taper off benzos on his own.

[Benjamin Eicher]

I can't prevent anything because it's not like an addiction where you crave something. It's just like you've gone crazy.

[Les Sillers]

He began having convulsions. He developed light sensitivity and agoraphobia. He hated leaving his basement. His depression and anxiety shot through the.

[Benjamin Eicher]

Roof and basically ended up in a catatonic state, like so bad I couldn't even roll over to take a drink of water.

[Les Sillers]

The medical community is gradually realizing the danger. In 2020, the FDA updated benzos with black box warnings to include risks of abuse, addiction, physical dependence and withdrawal reactions. Today, more doctors are aware that benzos can be abused. But the dangers of over prescription are less widely known. Doctors are using benzos as a long term treatment instead of a temporary fix. So the cycle of over medication continues.

[Don Middleton]

It almost always comes down to one underlying problem.

[Les Sillers]

That's Don Middleton, an osteopathic physician and chair of the Christian Medical and Dental Association's Addiction medicine section. He says there's more to beating and addiction than just getting off benzos. Middleton is a former alcoholic. He says people struggling with addiction are trapped and try to white knuckle their way into solving the problem. But only Christ can provide the answer.

[Benjamin Eicher]

And so getting people to understand it's not just about stopping the drug. It's about teaching them you are worthy, okay?

[Lindsay Mast]

And not because Don says so, because.

[Benjamin Eicher]

Your creator says you are so. That's what treatment should be like.

[Les Sillers]

Martineau, for his part, is still struggling with benzos.

[Benjamin Eicher]

It's like you're stuck in a dark place and there's no way of getting out.

[Les Sillers]

He is trying to taper off the drugs even now and was hospitalized for a weekend in April. Martineau's been told the withdrawal symptoms could last for years.

[Benjamin Eicher]

She's just trying to feel whatever my normal is. And I don't even remember what my.

[Les Sillers]

Normal is for world. I'm les Sillers.

[Myrna Brown]

Today is Wednesday, May 14th. Good morning, this is the World and everything from listener supported World Radio. I'm Myrna Brown.

[Lindsay Mast]

And I'm Lindsay Mast. World commentator Janie B. Cheney asks what's in a name?

[Janie B. Cheney]

I have a confession after the annual Met Gala on the first Monday night in May, I click over to the Vogue website to peruse the haute couture. The Met gala originated in 1948 as a fundraiser for the Costume Institute of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in Manhattan. The event is now organized by fashion maven Anna Winter, editor in chief of Vogue magazine, and is largely considered the world's glitziest fashion parade. Some of the biggest names of New York society are there. Attendance is by invitation only, and attendees have the option of dressing to a theme. Arrivals parade past a bank of cameras and pose on the floral carpet before climbing the grand staircase into the museum. Tickets this year cost $75,000. Don't ask me where all that money goes, and I'm not sure where it all came from either. For the last several years, the Met Gala has become a rich target for conservative commentators who have a lot to say about the pretentiousness, the puffed up glamour and the clothes.

[Don Middleton]

Oh, clothes.

[Janie B. Cheney]

From the pictures, it appears that tasteful evening dress is almost declassee. The celebrities outdo each other with outfits outlandish, scandalous, cross gendered or wildly exaggerated. What struck me this time, however, was not the outre fashion sense but the number of celebrities that now go by one name only. It's been a trend from Adele to Zendaya. There's even a term for it mononymous. Still, monanimity has generally been reserved for durable superstars or world conquerors like Napoleon or consequential creatives like Leonardo. I had never heard of most of those one namers on the Met Gala Runway, though presumably they've made their mark somewhere. But the self naming suggests to me that these aren't personalities so much as brands. Branding is how we sell products. The brand is what sets one thing apart from similar things. Whether it's ultra whitening toothpaste or specialty dog food. Brands fight it out in the market to determine what gets shelf space and what finds its own little online niche. Social media allows anyone with media savvy to become their own brand. Influencers market themselves more than any product. But people aren't products, and the pouty faces and ridiculous getups at the Met Gala this year seemed more lamentable than laughable. Celebrities have never been known for their just plain folksiness Showing off comes with the territory. But unlike celebrities of the past, many of today's rich and famous don't sell their exceptional talent or star quality to an appreciative public. They sell a brand and single names like Lisa or made up names like Bad Bunny are a dead giveaway for most of us. Names are bestowed at birth by someone else and we don't change them, we grow into them. Think of Abraham, father of a multitude whose name echoed through generations. Even today, names make a statement. They say who we are, but also where we're from. They put us in the context of a family and a generational line, individual yet connected. There are real persons with real names under the Lisas and Lizzos. But self creation can only go so far before becoming self parody. I'm Janie B. Chaney.

[Lindsay Mast]

Tomorrow, a new legal push. Some states want the Supreme Court to revisit its landmark ruling on same sex marriage and one family's fight to hold onto their farm and what it's costing them. That and more tomorrow. I'm Lindsay Mast.

[Myrna Brown]

And I'm Myrna Brown. Our story on benzo addiction today was written by Patrick Henry College journalism student Kate Stimson. The world and everything in it comes to you from World Radio. World's mission is biblically objective journalism that informs, educates and inspires. The Bible says so. Whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil. Verses 9 and 10 of Second Corinthians, chapter 5. Go now in grace and peace.