The number of drink-drivers caught in the Highlands has reached 7,474 since 2000.
The figures obtained under the Freedom of Information Act show that 800 individuals charged with drink driving offences were under the age of 21.
The statistics also reveal that of the drivers arrested by the Northern Constabulary one in five were in Inverness. Fort William, Lerwick, Nairn, Stornoway, Thurso and Wick also had high numbers of people caught driving over the legal limit.
The youngest person stopped was a girl aged 13, while 83 others were under the age of 17.
The figures show the number of drivers under the age of 21 arrested for drink-driving offences last year was 130 compared to only 35 in 2000.
Danny Alexander, MP for Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey, told the Press and Journal: "While I congratulate the police for catching so many drink-drivers, the figures do suggest that there is a need for a wider public information campaign.
"The campaign in the 1980s had a huge effect on persuading people that drink-driving was totally unacceptable. The younger generation don't seem to be getting that message."
There has been a campaign to reduce the legal limit in the UK from 80mg to 50mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood, bringing this in line with the European level.
Highland SNP MSP Dave Thompson said: "These figures from Northern Constabulary reinforce my concern that after many years when drink-driving was becoming socially unacceptable, we seem to be moving in the opposite direction."
He added: "More people are willing to take the risk than in the past.
"What we have to do is send a clear message to people that drink-driving is not acceptable under any circumstances. A 50mg limit would do that.
"Even one small measure of spirit or a half pint of light beer would put you over the limit."
Carole Whittingham, national secretary of the Campaign Against Drinking and Driving, said: "It is becoming a huge problem again. The sort of person who was caught drinking and driving ten or 15 years ago was a middle-aged man. Now it is young men aged between 17 and 30."
"My message to every drink-driver is that I can give you a 100% guarantee that one day you will be caught. Is it really worth losing your licence for a minimum 12 months?"
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