encouraged, a suggestion to which the Board was strongly opposed. The Board also stressed the need for WHO to provide assistance to the international community with special regard to treatment modalities of poly-drug and cocaine abusers and pointed out the increasing health hazards caused by the growing abuse of volatile substances. 61. The President noted that 1989 had been a momentous year for international drug control. The continuing escalation of the illicit drug traffic and the tragic consequences of that activity were still fresh in everyone's minds. The Board welcomed the decision of the General Assembly to convene a special session to examine possible additional action at the international level. In presenting in its report an assessment of the world-wide situation, the Board had tried to achieve a balanced evaluation of the seriousness of both drug abuse and illicit trafficking. It was gratifying to note that the international community was placing greater importance on the parallel reduction of both illicit demand and illicit supply. 62. The President noted that the Board was engaged in detailed planning to enable it to carry out the additional tasks conferred upon it by the 1988 Convention and, under its provisions, would report to the Commission for the first time at its thirty-fourth session. 63. He referred to the special supplement to the report, entitled "Demand for and supply of opiates for medical and scientific needs" (E/INCB/1989/1/Supp.), a study prepared in response to Economic and Social Council resolution 1989/15 of 22 May 1989, motivated by a wish to assess unmet needs for opiates for licit medical purposes. In the study, attention was drawn to the desirability of ensuring effective national assessment and monitoring of medical needs for opiates and comments on various problems arising with respect to the 
**Analysis**
The text appears to be discussing the activities and concerns of the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) in the context of international drug control. The language used suggests a focus on health and social issues related to drug abuse and trafficking.

**Category**
Health, Humanitarian aid and relief