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The commercials are soothing - a magical green moth escorts you to a peaceful sleep as the tranquil music swells... and another viewer is hooked on Ambien. Sleep medication ("Z-Drugs") including Lunesta and Ambien have become big business for pharmaceutical companies in the U.S., with over 27 million prescriptions last year. But what the F.D.A. and the manufacturers won't admit is that the drugs carry dangerous and deadly side effects. There has been an increasing number of sleep-driving traffic accidents linked to the drugs, leaving the medicated, zombie-like victims with no memory of the events.

I am one of those victims. Before my life was derailed by Ambien, I was a 46-year-old professional with a clean history, solid job, and a highly-decorated military record. When I completed my tour of duty, I found myself with chronic insomnia. Doctors at the VA Hospital prescribed Ambien to me. First, my troubles began with somnambulism. Then, ravenous sleep-eating. In the morning, I had no recollection of my actions. One night in September, 2007, I took 10mg of Ambien, watched some TV, and went to bed. The next thing I was conscious of was the jail cell surrounding me, the bruises and cuts all over my body, and the criminal charges against me.

Apparently, I crashed my car and was then brutally beaten to submission by the police. One arresting officer described my dazed, drug-induced state as "like a deer in headlights". Since my eventual release from prison, I lost my job and have been embroiled in an emotional battle against the colossal forces of "big-pharma". Despite increasing numbers of sleep-drug-related incidents, the F.D.A. and drug manufacturers claim that sleepwalking is a "possible rare adverse event". Despite numerous class-action lawsuits, they keep these drugs on the market because the cost of settlements pales in comparison to the skyrocketing profits from their product. Despite the well-founded, well-documented evidence incriminating these hazardous pills, they continue to be prescribed to millions of Americans... and the threat continues to escalate.

My story must be told - because it is but one of many that exposes the dangerous dark side of Z-drugs.

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