  Using Raman scattering we studied the effect of substitutions on 1D spin
fluctuations in CuGeO_3 observed as a spinon continuum in frustration induced
exchange scattering. For temperatures below the spin-Peierls transition
(T_{SP}=14K) the intensity of this continuum at 120-500 cm^{-1} is
exponentially suppressed and transferred into a 3D two-magnon density of
states. Besides a spin-Peierls gap-induced mode at 30 cm^{-1} and additional
modes at 105 and 370 cm^{-1} are observed. Substitution of Zn on the Cu-site
and Si on the Ge-site of CuGeO_3 quenches easily the spin-Peierls state.
Consequently a suppression of the spin-Peierls gap observable below T_{SP}=14K
as well as a change of the temperature dependence of the spinon continuum are
observed. These effects are discussed in the context of a dimensional crossover
of this compound below T_{SP} and strong spin-lattice interaction.
