anathema

noun

someone or something intensely disliked or loathed —usually used as a predicate nominative

(source-Merriam-Webster)

I encounter this word in the reading “Fatal addiction: the story of Scott Douglas”. I found it in the sentence, “Although Mr Douglas concedes that legalisation would be “anathema” to many fellow parents, he would like to see heroin supplied by the health service to addicts and a “clean and controlled environment” for it to be taken with free needles and medical advice.” Without knowing the anathema means someone or something intensely disliked, I wouldn’y understand what the autor wants to express.