A pioneering state law decriminalizing possession of illicit drugs and offering people treatment instead of imprisonment goes into effect in Oregon Monday, a move that advocates say will be a life-changing shift that will help thousands of Oregonians, USA Today reports.

Measure 110, passed by referendum in the November 3rd election, decriminalizes possession of small amounts of illegal drugs–including heroin, opioids, cocaine and methamphetamines–and changes the penalty for possession a $100 fine that can be refunded once the offender goes through a health screening to identify risk of addiction.

Individuals can then opt to enter a treatment program instead of being put into the criminal justice system, a major change in law enforcement that puts a health-based approach to treating addiction ahead of a punitive sentence.

“One of the things people misunderstand is how criminalization creates barriers to treatment,” says Kassandra Frederique, the executive director of the Drug Policy Alliance, a national nonprofit dedicated to legalizing illicit drug use, told USA Today. “If we want people to make different choices, we have to give them more options … ending criminalization will do leaps and bounds around ending shame, which automatically opens people up for other opportunities.”

The treatment plan for those who need it consists of more than just detox and rehab.  Oregon is expanding the availability of mental health and crisis management services, as well as physical and dental health and homeless advocacy.

Measure 110 is part of a ten-year plan to establish equity in health care, law enforcement and social services.  In many cases, communities of color are far more greatly impacted by minimum prison sentences for simple drug possession crimes, while possession is dealt with through probationary intervention in white communities.

The law does not erase other crimes affiliated with drug possession or use, such as driving under the influence or drug trafficking.