University part of anti-drug overdose kits video campaign
Scenes for a hard-hitting campaign video to promote how the public can use life-saving medication on people who have a drug overdose were filmed at the University of Bradford.
The campaign, launched on Monday 31 March, shows the impact drug overdoses can have on families and how the public can use naloxone, a medicine that rapidly reverses an opioid overdose.
Natalie Finch, Assistant Professor Mental Health Nursing, School of Nursing and Healthcare Leadership at the University of Bradford, who features in the video, said: “Public health is an important part of nursing, so this is a brilliant opportunity to be part of a campaign that will help to save lives.”
Peter and his mother in hospital in a scene from the campaign video. Image credits: University of Bradford/New Vision Bradford
The ‘You can save a life’ campaign has been produced by New Vision Bradford, which is commissioned to deliver drug and alcohol treatment in the area. It is aimed at raising awareness to help reduce drug-related deaths.
Sean Ridley, New Vision Bradford Area Manager, said: “Every year there are avoidable drug-related deaths.
“We have partnered with the University of Bradford to train all student nurses in how to recognise an overdose and how to administer naloxone, now we want to widen that to all students across the campus that want to be trained. Together we can make a difference.”
Natalie Finch, Assistant Professor Mental Health Nursing, School of Nursing and Healthcare Leadership at the University of Bradford, goes in front of the camera. Image credits: University of Bradford/New Vision Bradford
More on the campaign
The video features two storylines with alternate endings. In the first scenario, the main character, named Peter, takes drugs in a flat, overdoses on a street and a passer-by does not help him. Peter dies and his mother is informed by the police.
In the second version, Peter overdoses, again passes out in a street but this time a passer-by gives him naloxone. The video then follows Peter’s recovery, first in a scene in hospital and then at home with his mother.
A nursing clinical practice room, which is a mock hospital ward, and Technology House, an on campus two-bedroom property used to test digital health prototypes in a ‘real life’ environment for industry or the health sector, were used as filming locations at the University of Bradford.
Peter is catching up with his mother during the campaign video. Image credits: University of Bradford/New Vision Bradford
What is naloxone?
Naloxone attaches to opioid receptors in the brain and reverses and blocks the effects of other opioids. It was first developed in the early 1960s and began to be more widely used in the 1970s. In the UK, naloxone is a prescription only medicine regulated by the Human Medicines Regulations 2012.
All University of Bradford student nurses have received training on how to use naloxone since September 2023.
The University of Bradford’s nursing clinical practice room was used for one of the video’s scenes. Image credits: University of Bradford/New Vision Bradford
Different is what we do
UNRESOLVED – Our work is helping to find resolutions to the previously unresolved
Teaching our nursing students how to use naloxone is one of the ways the University of Bradford works to help solve unresolved problems.
Through our research, our approach to supporting students, and with alumni and honorary graduates all over the world, we recognise and celebrate those who find solutions and resolutions.
Other ways we resolve the unresolved include our expertise in peace and conflict resolution – we set up the UK’s first-ever Department for Peace Studies where we continue to educate leaders of tomorrow. We reward campaigners for peace and social justice, such as Nozizwe Madlala-Routledge, who was made an Honorary Doctorate in December 2024. Find out more on our website