BACKGROUND: November 2, 2006. Jacob Stiles was crowned Southern Methodist's University's Mr. University after he danced the 'Cha-Cha Slide,' read 'How to Date an SMU Girl,' and strutted in formal and sports wear. Hailing from Naperville, Ill., the sophomore majored in economics and psychology. Fast-forward to December 2, 2006. Jake was found dead by friends in his room at the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity house. His killer? A mixture of drugs, including a lollipop containing synthetic opiate fentanyl.

WHAT IS ACTIQ?: Having a berry flavored taste, the lollipop painkiller comes in gray, blue, orange, purple, green and burgundy plastic handles to indicate the different dosages. It is a formulation of fentanyl citrate that is most effective when consumed in 15 minutes. Actiq's main ingredient, fentanyl citrate, is intended to be used as a painkiller for people who have trouble swallowing, and this synthetic opiate can be 80-times to 100-times more powerful than morphine.

PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH ACTIQ: This highly addictive lollipop has been linked to 47 deaths across the United States. Although the FDA approved it in 1998 for cancer patients, more then 80 percent of lollipop users don't have cancer. Because it contains a large amount of sugar and flavoring, people who consume several lollipops a day often experience weight gain and tooth decay. Other side effects may include hot flashes, dizziness, constipation and rash. It has addictive qualities similar to those of heroin. The drug is sold on the street for between $30 and $40.

HELP FROM ACTIQ: Despite the potential dangers the drug can have, it has helped many cancer patients when other medications don't ease the pain. For patients whose severe pain can strike at a moment's notice, Actiq can be provide reassurance of pain relief when they leave their homes. For those suffering from pain that cannot be managed by other medications, the benefits of the lollipop may outweigh the risks. "It's great because it's an oral medication that gets absorbed through the cheek, so the onset of medication is much faster," says Andrew Putnam, M.D., from Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. "Instead of waiting 45 minutes or an hour to reach full strength, you probably start to feel something in five or 10 minutes and it will reach full strength in 20 to 25 minutes." This is important for cancer patients who experience severe pain. About one-third of cancer patients will experience some kind of pain. Many doctors consider pain management one of the most crucial aspects of treating cancer, along with appropriate medicinal and radiation treatment. Patients will be able to better tolerate chemotherapy and radiation treatments for longer, more effective periods of time if pain isn't making them miserable. Ted Banasiewicz is being treated for a rare form of cancer and frequently experiences pain. "I never describe it as a 10 because I know there is the potential for it to get worse. I have said nine and a half at times," says Ted. He says Actiq would have been helpful the day he found himself in the middle of the woods with no pain medication and a sudden episode of pain overtook him. "I took two steps and had to wait 20 seconds so that I would be able to take the next couple of steps," he says. "From that point on, wherever I go, I have pain medication with me."