EPHS Student's Death Being Investigated

deputies are investigating a Dallas 15-year-old’s death possibly caused by an accidental drug overdose.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported midday Tuesday that Travis Ramsey, a ninth-grader at , died on Sunday, with the sheriff’s office reporting that the death could have been caused by an accidental overdose.

Sheriff’s Office spokesman Ashley Henson told Dallas-Hiram Patch that deputies were called to 242 Brooks Street in Dallas on Sunday in reference to an unattended death, but as of Tuesday afternoon, the investigation continues as authorities await autopsy results from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.

Ramsey’s death was felt at high school as students returned to classes Tuesday after Monday’s Martin Luther King Jr. holiday. District officials sent to the school additional counselors to help those affected by Ramsey’s passing.

“Whenever we have a crisis situation like this, we have a team of counselors, in addition to the counselors that are already at that school, that basically hit the school first thing in the morning. They’re there to support students, staff, any kids who are having problems in dealing with the tragedy of that nature,” said Brian Otott, associate superintendent of . “[This] is one of those situations where we want to make sure students have support in trying to deal with something as difficult as this.

“The whole school and the district have that family and that student in their thoughts and prayers,” Otott added.

Otott says students throughout their school years are exposed to information about the dangers of abusing drugs both legal and illegal.

“There are programs in all levels that deal with the issue of drug abuse and drug use, in the requirements of their health instruction. It’s a message they hear from the minute they walk in school to the minute they walk out the doors,” he said. “The whole idea of drug use, both those that are over the counter as well as those that are illegal, are covered in the health curriculum.

“So it’s not just an issue that we touch on in fifth grade [in the DARE program]—literally you’re going to have discussions of varying levels and appropriateness at all levels through the health curriculum. The more mature students, there is going to be a more mature message, but again it’s a message that they hear regularly.”

Funeral services for Travis Jordan Ramsey will be held Thursday at 1 p.m. at . Interment will follow at Paulding Memorial Gardens. The family will receive visitors Wednesday from 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.

Visit Dallas-Hiram Patch for updates as they develop.