Ryutaro Hazuki, a former infielder for the Hiroshima Toyo Carp, received a suspended sentence for using the anesthetic drug etomidate [1, 2].
The case highlights the prevalence of "zombie tobacco" within professional sports and the potential systemic nature of substance abuse in high-pressure athletic environments.
At the Hiroshima District Court, Hazuki admitted to the use of etomidate [1, 2]. The judge sentenced him to one year of imprisonment, suspended for three years [1]. Hazuki was originally arrested on Jan. 27, 2024 [3].
During the proceedings, Hazuki provided a justification for his actions, saying that other players within the Hiroshima Carp organization were also using the substance [1]. This perception led him to believe that his own use would be acceptable [1].
"There were Carp players around me who were smoking it, so the naive idea that I would be okay won out," Hazuki said [1]. He added that he should have made a correct decision and expressed deep regret for not facing his family sooner [1].
Reports on Hazuki's age vary between 25 [3] and 26 [2].
The legal fallout followed an initial apology from former owner Moto Matsuda, who said he was surprised by the arrest of the player [3].
Etomidate is a powerful sedative used in medical settings but has become a target for illicit use when mixed with other substances to create a dissociative effect. In Japan, the drug is often referred to as "zombie tobacco" due to the catatonic state it can induce in users [1].
“"There were Carp players around me who were smoking it, so the naive idea that I would be okay won out."”
The admission that multiple players within a single professional team were using etomidate suggests a cultural failure in drug prevention and monitoring within the Hiroshima Toyo Carp. By linking his individual crime to a broader team trend, Hazuki's testimony may prompt further investigations into the team's internal conduct and the effectiveness of league-wide substance abuse policies.
