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Typically, events sponsored by Communities Overcoming Meth Abuse concentrate solely on battling the ills of the highly addictive drug listed in the organization's name.

Today, however, the group takes a step outside the norm by sponsoring a seminar designed to help employers stem the tide of employee drug use. That's all drug use, COMA chairwoman Annette Dunckley said, not just methamphetamine.

"This discussion doesn't cover any drug in specific," Dunckley said. Rather, it takes a broad approach in covering drug use.

For the second time, COMA will host a public seminar tailored to business owners interested in implementing an employee drug and testing policy.

The seminar is scheduled for 6 to 8 p.m. today at the Holiday Inn of Craig. It is free and open to the public.

A previous seminar proved valuable to local employers and business owners, Dunckley said, and visitors to tonight's event can expect to receive important information for crafting their own drug policies.

"Last time we had a small group attend, but every single person got something out of it," Dunckley said. "It's of interest to many types of businesses and employers."

A representative from Mountain States Employers Council, a nonprofit membership organization founded in 1939 to facilitate effective employer-employee relationships, will conduct the seminar.

The Employers Council representative will help employers form policies within the law and specifically catered to their business, Dunckley said.

Implementing policies will help employers reduce liability and help prevent hiring employees under the influence of narcotics, she said.

"If you've got someone high, you don't want them on your crew," Dunckley said. "(A drug policy) is there to protect (employers)."