It's a definite conundrum, but your proposed solution so far is unacceptable to me. What you seem to suggest is, since we cannot hope to catch everyone, and even if we did, we cannot house them all, we should drop our hands in defeat. This isn't the solution.
And don't even begin to talk about replacing the current program with education to prevent people from getting hooked in the first place. It hasn't worked yet, and certainly won't on its own.
The way to end the problem is to cut off the drugs altogether. That in itself may be unrealistic, but as long as people can get their hands on drugs, they will take them.
Further, had there been no drug laws, it would have been one less thing against Ratliff. Now, let's say you are right, and he wouldn't have been desperate. He gets taken alive, but now, since it is only TWO strikes against him, he gets paroled down the road. Next time it might not be so happy an ending, and you know darn well there WOULD be a next time. As I said before, there is no evidence I have ever seen to suggest sexual offenders EVER rehabilitate. Sure, he would have to register as an offender- big deal. He would merely hunt outside of his neighborhood, which he would probably do anyway.
Edit: Sorry, you're right, this is stuff for another thread.
