How many people are currently incarcerated for drug offenses, according to the text?

In "Just Mercy," Bryan Stevenson discusses the impact of the War on Drugs and the subsequent rise in incarceration rates for drug offenses. The figure of over a half-million people incarcerated for drug offenses reflects the serious consequences of policies that have disproportionately affected marginalized communities. This statistic highlights the systemic issues within the criminal justice system, including the punitive approach to drug use and the lack of focus on treatment and rehabilitation. The mention of over a half-million serves to underscore the broader narrative of mass incarceration addressed throughout the book, illustrating the deep injustices present in the legal system.