Not entirely sure if this is the right sub to post to but I'm in need of some pretty serious help.

A friend of mine, is in some deep shit. He's been involved with gang related activities (rumor has it) and has eneded up in hospital with some injuries. He'll pull through but is badly hurt. I do not know the specifics of what he has done, but it's deep with some dangerous people, who have tried to take his life.

He's in hospital and I fear once he is out he'll either be killed or kill himself. He has a very poor relationship with his family, and I'm possibly the only person that can get through to him. How do I convince him, to leave this life behind and not seek retaliation, and to start a new life. He is still very young (early 20's). He's a guy with lots of potential, but I really fear that it might be too late. I do not want to give up on a close friend of mine , and let him waste his life.

But I feel powerless to have any real meaningful impact that may make him buck up his ideas and turn his life around.

Any help would be massively appreciated.