Plus most of Queens and the Hamptons.
Remember the rash of crimes attributed to the use of Ambien? Maybe there’s something to this ... although you’d think the papers would be full of murder and sudden death (apart from the war).
Most of the “sleeping pills” in use in the 1940s were barbiturates; very potent, highly addictive and frequently obtained without prescription, or freely prescribed just for the asking. These Central Nervous System depressants were the “downers” referred to in “Valley of the Dolls.” These were also commonly used in deliberate overdose as suicide drugs.
Barbiturates were later replaced in the 1960s by the Benzodiazepine class of drugs, of which Valium (Diazepam) was the first and best known. So then we got the “Valium Housewife,” which was the subject of the Rolling Stones song “Mother’s Little Helper.” Later versions include Xanax (Alprazolam) and Klonipin (Clonazepam). While milder in side effects than the barbiturates, they are still very bad ju-ju and should be avoided. They are very common as drugs of abuse.
Ambien is the current class of drugs use for sleep inducement, and we are just now learning all the side effects of Ambien such as somnambulism.
All of which leads to what Tax-Chick says. If you want to go to sleep, count sheep. Or better, call me up and I’ll tell you my life’s story. It seems to have that effect on most people.