HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- West Virginia has one crime lab for 55 counties, and that means it can take up to five months to get results back for a drug sample.

The forensics center at Marshall will be expanding, and there's a strong possibility it could be the new home for the second drug crime lab in the state.

The center already tests DNA. The state police have their digital forensics unit, and now an expansion to the building could offer drug testing.

Once the new building is complete, the first floor will have forensic classrooms, the second floor economic labs and hopefully the third floor will have room for the drug testing; if funding is available.

“Accreditation could take a year. Equipment would come from grants,” Terry Fenger, director of the forensics center, said.

Dr. Fenger said it would take close to $500,000 to have a drug crime testing lab.

“Right now we have one state police lab for all 55 counties,” Chris Childes, Cabell County prosecutor, said.

Chiles also suggests WVU look into building their own drug crime lab to help decrease the load at the state lab in Charleston.

A ground breaking ceremony on the new building is scheduled for next couple weeks. It should be complete by March. Then, the search for funding will begin.