Benzodiazepines have an important place in the pharmacotherapeutic treatment of anxiety, insomnia, and panic disorders and of psychological responses to medical conditions and other disorders. However, some proportion of persons who take benzodiazepines over a prolonged period become dependent on these medications. The principles of prudent prescribing of these drugs are essentially the same as those of prescribing any other class of medications. However, it is essential that the prescriber be aware of possible side effects and avoid even the remotest possibility of inappropriate prescribing. Programs requiring multiple copies of prescriptions are problematic due to the ways they try to restrict the availability of drugs for abuse while keeping them available for appropriate medical use. Medical professionals need to recognize the appropriate uses of benzodiazepines while understanding the clinical and legal issues involved. Tables, notes, and 34 references