Wetzel County school officials are urging parents to lock up their prescription drugs.

Superintendent William F. Jones says prescription drug abuse by students is "epidemic."

Jones says two students at Hundred High School and one at Magnolia High School recently were expelled for use or possession of prescription drugs. Nine expulsions in the previous school year involved prescription drugs.

The Wetzel County school system has launched a campaign called "Lock 'Em Up" to encourage parents to secure their prescription drugs in a place where children can't obtain them.

District Attendance Director Sue Villers says if children don't have access to prescription drug, they can't use them.