Plea deal for Method Man in drug arrest

NEW YORK - Method Man is going back to school.

As part of a plea deal reached following a marijuana arrest earlier this year, the hip-hop star was ordered to visit 15 city high schools to warn students about the dangers of drugs.

The former Wu-Tang Clan member, whose real name is Clifford Smith, "is thrilled to do it," defense attorney Peter Frankel said Friday. "He's never been in trouble before. He's not a stereotypical rapper."

Smith, 36, was arrested on May 17 after toll-booth workers on the Brooklyn side of the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel reported smelling marijuana smoke coming from his sport utility vehicle. He was charged with driving under the influence of drugs and drug possession after police said they found marijuana inside the SUV.

Prosecutors knocked the drug charges down to disorderly conduct as part of the plea deal.