The Netherlands Health Council has issued a report on the appropriate use of benzodiazepines, detailing current knowledge on mode of action, indications for use, adverse effects and the prescribed volume in the Netherlands. About 3% of the adult population are chronic users of benzodiazepines. Chronic use is complicated by the risk of falling; the relative risk of hip fractures in chronic benzodiazepine users in about 1.7. Chronic use should be discouraged. However, most chronic users are fragile elderly people for whom a good night's sleep implies temporary escape from a sorry existence with somatic or psychic symptoms. Such circumstances should be kept in mind when treating individual patients.