Indigenous organisations are backing a growing push for South Australia to adopt care-led alternatives to policing, arguing health, social and community services should respond first to many incidents to prevent harm.

The Alternative First Responders campaign says despite falling crime rates across the state, governments continue to treat police as the default first response. Advocates argue research shows community-based and therapeutic supports often deliver better outcomes and are more suited to complex social needs.

In an open letter led by the National Justice Project and signed by Klynton Wanganeen from the Aboriginal Legal Rights Movement, the Ngaanyatjarra Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Women's Council, Lindon Coombes from the Jumbunna Institute for Indigenous Education and Research, and Jade Lane of Change the Record, along with other groups, the signatories argue the state is spending heavily on "ideas that do not prevent crime".

"We need to break this thinking and be courageous," the letter reads.

"This is not an ambitious policy idea, but a real-world shift that is growing nationally and internationally to establish alternatives to police that can provide appropriate care and support."

Arguing the state's strong economy removes any excuse not to invest in new approaches, it adds: "We ask you to urgently consider and fund alternative first responders as a matter of public health, safety and dignity."

The letter notes the government has allocated more than $200 million to policing in the latest budget despite consistent declines in youth and adult offending, questioning "where the commitment is to accelerate the much-needed supports for people and communities, with only $111.8 million invested in supporting 'vulnerable South Australians'".

"Why is the funding cap lower for cost-of-living pain for South Australians while crime rates are going down?" the letter asks.

"Having a 'law and order' budget in response to a decrease in crime does not demonstrate value for money or align with community need. As a sector, this approach reflects a continued targeting of marginalised communities and a disregard for genuine investment in community safety."

The signatories also argue plans to add 116 prison beds signal a shift away from prevention and community support. With the state election approaching, they are urging MPs to move beyond punitive approaches and invest in "bold policy that puts care, not force, at the centre".

"Further investment in law enforcement is an investment in control," the letter reads. "People deserve alternatives that ensure the right response, by the right people, with the right support."

Concerns about over-policing and detention in South Australia have also been raised by youth justice advocates. In November, Shona Reid, who oversees children in care and detention, said "access to education and therapeutic programs remains an inconsistent presence in children's lives" whilst in custody, with rolling lockdowns and isolation a constant.

Last year, Mr Wanganeen criticised expanded police powers — designed to combat gangs — saying the government was pursuing "extreme legislation that will not prevent crime and will harm our children".

"The bill will lead to more Aboriginal children being thrown into jail," he said before the bill passed parliament.

"Not only is this damaging for the child, but it actually increases the risk of them cycling in and out of detention, both as a child and as an adult. So it harms children and makes the community less safe."