Victoria's Voice: Our daughter's dying wish to share her diary and save lives from drugs

by David Siegel, Jackie Siegel

On June 6, 2015, David and Jackie Siegel received the call that no parent should ever get. Their beautiful, vibrant, 18-year-old daughter Victoria had died of a drug overdose. The Siegels vowed to do whatever it takes to prevent this from happening to other parents.

Right after Victoria passed away, Jackie received a text from one of Victoria's friends directing her to look in her bedroom nightstand for a secret diary she had kept - and suggesting they publish it. The Siegels decided to honor Victoria's wish.

'VICTORIA'S VOICE' is a gripping peek inside the mind of a sometimes happy, healthy teen and other times a teen dramatically influenced by drugs and alcohol. This is 'VICTORIA'S VOICE' - from beyond the grave. It could be your child's life.



RUNNING TIME ⇒ 3hrs. and 56mins.

©2019 David and Jackie Siegel (P)2019 David and Jackie Siegel

Genres: Nonfiction, Family, Addiction, Biography Memoir

304 pages, Paperback

First published December 16, 2018

Reviews

[Ginny · Rating 2 out of 5]

I won't lie, I really did not enjoy this book. Overall, it sounds very intriguing, but it did not connect to me. The excerpts the parents chose to share did not really convey Victoria's spiral down, at least to me. I also wish I had not read the parents' foreward, introduction, afterward, etc as it completely destroyed any bit of connection I could have made. I felt like this was less a "be careful" book and more of a cash grab.

[Mkittysamom · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like the journal part and wish there was more to read

Although I don’t know if there was. It just seemed so short and didn’t tell me much about Victoria. I think parents getting involved is the best idea and the gov not so much.

[Jessica Dimitro · Rating 5 out of 5]

I came across this book while speaking with man who travels the world talking to schools about his experience with drug use. A very powerful and heavy look into what is addicting our young kids. I enjoyed Victoria’s journal. It really helped me see how a young teen views the world and herself…someone who supposedly had it all. Also makes me wish parents didn’t just throw their kids on multiple medications. It’s a scary and slippery slope. Lots of eye opening stuff in this quick read.

[Victoria H · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a heart wrenching journal!

[Courtney Rachel · Rating 2 out of 5]

My two stars are for the family being brave enough to publish their daughters personal journal regardless of how it makes the parents look, for being able to read the actual words and entries Victoria made.

What I do not condone is that they made her death seem as if it's 100% drug related, that she died from an accidental overdose due to the opioid epidemic and doctors prescribing her drugs that led to addiction.

From reading her own journal entries, it is very, very clear she was dealing with untreated and undiagnosed mental issues. She states in her own words that her parents would shuffle her around to different doctors who just threw medicine at her. It's really sad, but what this memoir highlights is absentee parenting and our absolutely horrendous mental health care in this country.

[Lauren · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wanted to love this book. BUT the printing was so tight to the binding I could not read the journal portion properly. Also the foreward and afterward was filled with repeated statements from the parents. Once is enough, going over and over addictions is beating the topic. This really felt like they were trying to make page count for publishing. I know portions of the journal were blurred out but there had to be a better way to do this, either skip those lines or black them out vs blurring them.

this is 2 stars for poor publication/printing and the parents portion. If I was able to read just the diary and have it printed properly then it would be more stars.

[Kaylee Maureene · Rating 2 out of 5]

I received this book at a conference and had expected to be getting a glimpse of the "other side of addiction." However, the portions included by her parents felt distant, like a pushed agenda, and many of their points, to me, felt so detached and correlated directly to her negative self-image and expectations. It was hard to read and personally feel that this was written for publicity/profit, not to help or gain closure for their daughter.

[Matt McAvoy · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Victoria’s Voice” is a tragic account of teenage depression and self-destruction, more tragic still because the tale is so common as to seem familiar, even though in reality the world Victoria occupied was probably a million miles from the majority of our own. It seems very clear, right from the opening paragraphs, that Victoria was another sad victim of the American dream’s flipside, with all the artifice and superficiality that goes with that life of luxury; her death was one of misadventure, brought on by her desperation to escape the life she was in. Whilst obviously incredibly unhappy – for reasons which may seem clearer to those of us looking in from the outside – and self-destructive, there is no indication in Victoria’s published diary excerpts that she was genuinely suicidal, yet still there seems an air of inevitability about her fate, and others in her environment. In the book, the parents blame a boyfriend for leading her down the wrong path, but I don’t see it that way (from what limited information is in this book) – Victoria sought out her own self-destruction before this. Whilst I do not assume the right to attribute blame, it strikes me that surely the purpose of the diary’s publication is to spot where things went wrong for Victoria, in order to prevent other teenage girls suffering her fate. However, my suspicion is that Victoria’s path was chosen as a direct response to her situation and surroundings, which were not average.

The book takes the form of three elements, the middle section the longest: the publication of the diary, at her request. I have to say, despite feeling a touch intrusive reading it, I found myself wondering if this genuinely will fulfil her wish. I suspected, whilst reading, that it has been heavily edited, and its excerpts so carefully selected as to render the diary’s inclusion, to some extent, quite pointless; there is no context of earlier innocence to compare Victoria’s ordeal to, and any hint of blame or reason has been diluted to the point of exclusion. Therefore, I’m not sure of Victoria’s voice is really heard at all, when all you are really left with is a handful of diary entries about how much she “likes drugs”. For the real voice, you are left with little choice but to read between the lines. Whilst it is difficult to see the overall benefit of the diary’s publication in its current form, and it feels that an opportunity has been missed to highlight the social cause of depression in this group of youngsters, ironically, where this book really starts to be worthwhile is after the diary excerpts end.

The book’s other two components consist of monologues by people close to her, which are heartfelt, but the author bios do raise eyebrows very highly; the repeated credentials and achievements of the Siegel family seem irrelevant and more than a little inappropriate. However, where this book really starts to show value is when it starts to reveal all the work Jackie and David have carried out in launching the “Victoria’s Voice Foundation”, which is a lot. The final quarter of the book is an incredibly insightful and very useful guide to the most common drugs in use amongst young people and how to spot them. A huge amount of research has gone into creating this guide, and clearly the information is very well sourced.

Overall, “Victoria’s Voice” is a must-read for any parent who is worried about their teenager’s possible drug use, and definitely provides a first-hand view of how to spot the signs. However, as far as addressing the causes goes, I’m not convinced.

[kesseljunkie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Moving and difficult portrait of a young girl caught in a bad loop. It’s uncomfortable reading her diary entries. I don’t know if I could have honored this final wish of hers as the book details it.

But, it’s admirable that the Siegels are taking this opportunity to share the signs that they missed in an effort to help parents avoid the phone call they got. It would be easy to detach from this tragedy because Victoria had access to so much that is valued in this world.

Sadly, Victoria seems very much a victim of all the things a young girl needs to avoid and the spiral that stems from self-esteem issues and peer pressure. It’s very tragic, and difficult to see in such an up close and personal way.

[Dawn · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s very tragic. There is a horrible drug problem here in the US and far to many have died b/c of it. We need to do better!! As far as the book the journal part was incredibly sad and I feel for this young girl. She was crying out for help and it seemed as if the parents were to busy and cared more about their image. I think it’s gross and disgraceful how the parents added about them into this book. I wish I would have skipped those parts. How insensitive could they be? Seems as if they did this for profit. There was way too much in this book about the parents. Who cares? Not me and I don’t think a lot of ppl care how yall got ur 6billon focus on what’s important not lining ur pockets even more then they already are.

[Laurel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating is based on the diary portion of this book. It is commendable that Rikki wanted to help others so much and this is a great example that money does not equal happiness. I believe this represents that love, structure, and communication are the essence of happiness and all of the the other “luxuries” are just things people get trying to fill that void.

This book brings a lot of light to the thought process that prescriptions are the fix-all solution. Fortunately, we have improved since the beginning of her diary, but I think the quick-fix mindset is still very prevalent nowadays.

I have seen the Queen of Versailles documentary, which I believe gives more depth to this book since it is a main staple of what’s happening in the background of this timeline.

[Tayler · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this book up from a shop in Florida several years ago, personally I feel this book is a pretty short read. Most of the book contains the pages of Victoria's Journal, pictures she drew, writing that's hard to read and then the occasional legible journal entry. I found it really interesting and sad to read about her life, as well as see the downhill progression via the writing in her journal. The last little bit of the book is mostly drug education. While this isn't a book I would walk around recommending to everyone, I think it's a good book to show you the real effects of drug use. Not only on the person using but the people around you.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Victoria's Voice is the heartbreaking story of Victoria Siegal who tragically lost her life at the age of 18 from a drug overdose. The Siegal's created Victoria's Voice to shine a light on the dark issue that is drug abuse and addiction. I would encourage every parent and teen to read this personal and powerful book to ensure that Victoria's legacy lives on and to learn more about the signs and resources available so that together we can help prevent more lives from being lost. The resources at the end of the book and the Siegal's advocacy is helpful and insightful.

[Lyle · Rating 3 out of 5]

It felt very wrong reading her diary, even if much of it was redacted. There feels like much more tension between her and her parents than they admitted to. Their writing contradicted hers so much (wether or not she was on drugs).
Like feigning perfection on their side.
I am glad they’ve taken their loss and help people struggling with addiction. Everything after her diary was repetitive and should have been edited out. It is a quick read though, read it in a day.
The rating is for everything outside of her diary and her funeral speeches.

[Patricia Miers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not an Eye Opener

I am so sorry for your families loss.
Prescription drugs have been over prescribed by doctors for long long time. The big pharmaceutical industry counts on it. Unknowing patients listen to them however, as stated in your book, doctors are given little training on drugs and their side effects. The pharmacists that I know are more informed. I would always check with a trusted pharmacist before giving my children or myself any prescribed medicine.

[Shannon Abernathy · Rating 1 out of 5]

It is a journal written by Victoria aka Rikki that details some of her partying and drug use. There was just so much missing- what in the journal made it the focus of the story as opposed to Rikki’s actual story?
Either way, it’s heartbreaking! I hate that this is what today’s youth have to deal with and they feel as though no one sees or hears them.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

A heartbreaking but wonderful book! The opioid epidemic is out of control. Parents need to be made aware. Stigma related to drug use needs to end. It could happen to your loved one.

[Kaylynn Poole · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was so sad to see how creative and full of personality she was. It seemed like she had so much potential but drugs got the best of her. I hope this book is eye opening for parents and how they need to be more involved in their children’s lives.

[Kara Nunes · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book in a weekend. The struggle with drugs has never effected my family, but the sadness in this story touched my heart. I feel sorry for both her & her family. Well written and a quick read.

[David · Rating 1 out of 5]

Yikes. No part of the diary portion of this book rang true, not the content nor the presentation. I would be surprised if anyone sincerely believed otherwise. Still, what a tragedy for the family, what a tragedy of a family. Every single page of this book made me sad.

[Sarah Kinser · Rating 3 out of 5]

Page turner

Such a sad, horrible thing this family went through. Even sadder how common it is nowadays to lose a loved one to addiction/overdose. I recommend this book.

[David · Rating 1 out of 5]

I find it disturbing that this woman shared her kids personal diary.

[Cassie Iturrino · Rating 4 out of 5]

it is truly a shame when a child dies before their parents...... i have a lot of mixed feelings about this topic

[Jenni Franz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I live in Orlando & lost my only sibling two years ago to an overdose from opioids.
I genuinely appreciate this book being out in the world to help others.

[Abbey · Rating 2 out of 5]

Actual rating: 1.5 stars

[Tori BookWorm22]

She's just a girl.
And I'm glad they honored and respected her decision enough to show her exactly as she was.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. Seeing Victoria's spiral into extreme drug use and abuse is so horrific and important. Thank you for sharing her diary & final wish, so we can learn.

[Debra Hanby · Rating 4 out of 5]

From the mind of a young girl struggling with addiction who lost her life at 18. Hopefully her voice will help others before it’s too late.

[Jami Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

The content 💔

[Jon Den Houter · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an important book in that it raises awareness of drug addiction among teens. It mainly consists of Victoria ("Rikki") Siegel's journal from the fall of 2012 to the fall of 2014, along with introductions written by her parents, eulogies given by Rikki's family at her funeral, and a section about drug types and their effects, how to spot drug use in teens, and information on the Victoria's Voice foundation.

This book is hard to rate—it's valuable and a great service to the public—but I docked it one-star because the parts written by the Siegels were very repetitive.

David and Jackie Siegel started the foundation in honor of their daughter, so that in losing her life to drugs, she would save many other lives. Her journal does shine a light on the dark area of teen drug addiction. Rikki died of a methadone and Zoloft overdose on June 6, 2015. She was just 18 years old.

It felt like Victoria "Rikki" was doomed to die from a drug overdose from the time she wrote in her journal in January 2013, "Never say no to any drug offered." Her drug addiction started with Xanax and spiraled from there.

Her