Drug Program Searching for New Home

Unless fate intervenes in the guise of a friendly landlord, the 13-year-old New Start drug rehabilitation program will be out on the streets after tomorrow.

The nonprofit operation was scheduled to move to new quarters in the Santa Monica Mall from its offices at 1455 19th St. last Saturday, but the rental agreement fell through, according to New Start attorney Martha Mansell.

“The staff is out right now combing the streets, looking for space that isn’t listed yet,” New Start director Quin Crosbie said Tuesday.

Crosbie said the agency must locate in a commercial zone and needs enough space for 10 to 12 private offices, so that small groups and counselors can have private meetings. New Start can afford between $2,800 to $4,000 a month in rent, depending upon how much remodeling would be required.

Kathy McTaggart-Crosbie, New Start’s youth director and the wife of Quin Crosbie, said if rental space is not found right away the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District may provide temporary quarters.

“The major problem,” she said, “is that we won’t be able to enroll any new people.”

Since 1974, New Start has had three homes. It opened on Lincoln Boulevard, moved to 7th Street and relocated again at its current quarters. The property was sold in each case.

“We are excellent tenants,” Quin Crosbie said. “We always pay our rent on time and we never cause any problems. Never, in 13 years, have we had a single unpleasantness at the agency or around the agency.”