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(BAC) above .08 from operating a motor <br />vehicle, boat or off -road vehicle, the <br />Minnesota Court of Appeals recently held <br />that such devices are not motor vehicles for <br />purposes of Minnesota's DWI laws (State v. <br />Brown, 801 N.W. 2d 186 (Minn. Ct. App. <br />2011). The court's decision makes it <br />difficult for local officials to prosecute a <br />person who is threatening public safety by <br />operating an electric personal assistive <br />mobility device or an electric vehicle while <br />impaired. <br />Response: The League of Minnesota <br />Cities supports an expansion of the <br />current DWI law so that it applies to a <br />person operating an electric personal <br />assistive mobility device or an electric <br />vehicle. <br />SD-47. Drug Courts <br />Issue: The League of Minnesota Cities <br />recognizes the impact of substance abuse on <br />individuals, communities and taxpayers. <br />According to the National Council on <br />Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, the <br />relationship between alcohol and drugs and <br />crimes --including domestic abuse and <br />violence, underage drinking, robbery, <br />assault and sexual assault --is clearly <br />documented. The National Center on <br />Addiction and Substance Abuse reports 65 <br />percent of the nation's inmates meet certain <br />medical criteria for substance abuse and <br />addiction, but only 11 percent received <br />treatment for their addictions. <br />Drug courts are an effective problem - <br />solving approach for dealing with alcohol <br />and other drug addicted offenders in the <br />judicial system. Drug courts closely <br />monitor the defendant's progress toward <br />sobriety and recovery through ongoing <br />treatment, frequent drug testing, regular <br />mandatory check -in court appearances, and <br />the use of a range of immediate sanctions <br />and incentives to foster behavior change. <br />In drug court, judges collaborate with other <br />traditional court participants (prosecutors, <br />defense counsel, treatment providers, <br />probation officers, law enforcement, <br />educational and vocational experts, <br />community leaders and others), whose roles <br />have been substantially modified, but not <br />relinquished, in the interest of helping <br />defendants deal with addiction. <br />Response: The League of Minnesota <br />Cities supports the efforts of drug courts <br />to address substance abuse and reduce <br />crime. The League supports funding for <br />additional drug courts. <br />SD-48. Methamphetamine <br />Issue: The production and abuse of <br />methamphetamine (meth) continues to be a <br />problem for communities across Minnesota. <br />Cities are facing serious issues pertaining to <br />meth, including costly cleanup of drug labs, <br />and the social problems and public safety <br />issues resulting from meth abuse. To meet <br />the challenges presented by the growing <br />meth problem, cities are working with <br />retailers to monitor the sale of precursor <br />ingredients, and are coordinating with other <br />units of government on the impact on <br />communities. <br />Response: The Legislature and state <br />agencies must: <br />a) Provide sufficient funding to assist <br />local units of government with <br />cleanup of drug labs. <br />b) Allow local governments to be more <br />restrictive in the development of <br />ordinances at the city and county level <br />to appropriately address the needs of <br />their communities. <br />c) Support public education on <br />methamphetamine, including <br />League of Minnesota Cities <br />2015 City Policies Page 31 <br />