LINCOLN COUNTY, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- It seems like everyone is working to stop the growing drug problem across our region, and local schools are even joining the fight.

Starting this year, some students at Lincoln County High School could be randomly selected for drug testing.

"This is the first year we've started our random drug testing policy," Assistant Superintendent Bill Linville said.

Before this policy, students only faced consequences if they were under the influence or in possession of a drug at school.

Not all students are in the pool for random selection.

A student could get selected if they participate in an extracurricular activity, drive their own car to school, or their parent opts them into the program.

One Lincoln County woman disagrees with the policy.

"If you're going to do drug testing, I think it should be for everybody," Beulah Taylor, a Lincoln County grandparent, said.

But Assistant Superintendent Bill Linville said that since the school is a free public institution. they cannot make every student participate in random testing.

They can only randomly test students who utilize certain privileges the school gives like driving to school and participating in extracurricular activities.

School officials think this policy could offer students a reason to turn down drugs.

"They could look at their peer and say, 'No, I drive to school, or I play in the band, or I play football and I don't want to lose that privilege,' " Linville said.

Linville also said this new policy was put into place to help students.

"We're going to offer them help. That's what we're here for to help students," Linville said.

If a student tests positive for drugs upon their random selection, the student must receive drug conciliating and submit three additional drug screenings throughout the academic year.

If a student is selected for a drug test and the student refuses to participate, they will not be eligible for extracurricular and parking at school.